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600072303L
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FRANKENSTEIN:
OR,
THE MODERN PRoMETHEUS.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
i^J-'
LONDON
PRINTED BY THOMAS DAVISONf WHTTEFRIARS.
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FRANKENSTEIN:
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS.
MARY WOLLSTONBCRAFT SHELLEY.
IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOL. L /S
A NEW EDITION.
LONDON :
PRINTED POR G. AND W. B. WHITTAKER,
AVE-MARIA-LANB.
1823.
Digitized by Google
JT
Digitized by VjOOQIC
PREFACE.
The event on which this fiction is
founded has been supposed, by Dr.
Darwin, and some of the physio-
logical writers of Germany, as not of
impossible occurrence. I shall not be
supposed as according the remotest
degree of serious faith to such an
imagination ; yet, in assuming it as
the basis of a work of fancy, I have
not considered myself as merely
a 3
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VI PREFACE.
weaving a series of supernatural ter-
rors. The event on which the in-
terest of the story depends is exempt
from the disadvantages of a mere tale
of spectres or enchantment. It was
recommended by the novelty of the
situations which it developes; and,
however impossible as a physical fact,
affords a point of view to the ima-
gination for the deUneating of human
passions more comprehensive and
commanding than any which the
ordinary relations of existing events
can yield.
I have thus endeavoured to pre-
serve the truth of the elementary
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PREFACE. Vll
principks of human nature, while I
have not scrupled to innovate upon
their combinations. The Iliad, the tra-
gic poetry of Greece, — Shakespeare,
in the Tempest and Midsummer
Night's Dream, — and most especially
Milton, in Paradise Lost, conform to
this rule ; and the most humble no-
velist, who seeks to confer or receive
amusement from his labours, may,
without presumption, apply to prose
fiction a licence, or rather a rule,
from the adoption of which so many
exquisite combinations of human
feeling have resulted in the highest
specimens of poetry.
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Vlll PREFACE.
The circumstance on which my
story rests was suggested in casual
conversation. It was commenced,
partly as a source of amusement, and
partly as an expedient for exercising
any untried resources of mind. Other
motives were mingled with these, as
the work proceeded. I am by no
means indifferent to the manner in
which whatever moral tendencies
exist in the sentiments or characters
it contains shall affect the reader;
yet my chief concern in this respect
has been limited to the avoiding the
enervating effects of the novels of
the present day, and to the exhibition
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PREFACE. IX
of the amiableness of domestic af-
fection, and the excellence of uni-
versal virtue. The opinions which
naturally spring from the character
and situation of the hero are by no
means to be conceived as existing
always in my own conviction ; nor is
any inference justly to be drawn from
the following pages as prejudicing
any philosophical doctrine of what-
ever kind.
It is a subject also of additional
interest to the author, that this story
was begun in the majestic region
where the scene is principally laid,
and in society which cannot cease to
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X PREFACE.
be regretted. I passed the summer
of 1816 in the environs of Geneva.
The season was cold and rainy, and
in the evenings we crowded around
a blazing wood fire, and occasionally
amused ourselves with some German
stories of ghosts, which happened to
fall into our hands. These tales
excited in us a playful desire of
imitation. Two other friends (a tale
from the pen of one of whom would
be far more acceptable to the public
than any thing I can ever hope to
produce) and myself agreed to write
each a story, foimded on some super-
natural occurrence.
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PREFACE. XI
The weather, however, suddenly
became serene ; and my two friends
left me on a journey among the
Alps, and lost, in the magnificent
scenes which they present, all me*
mory of their ghostly visions. The
following tale is the only one which
has been completed.
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X
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FRANKJINSTEIN;
OB.
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS.
LETTER I.
To Mrs. Saville, England.
St. Petersburgh, Dec. llth,^ 17—.
You will rejoice to hear that no disaster
has accompanied the commencement of
an enterprise which you have regarded
with such evil forebodings. I arrived
here yesterday ; and my first task is to
assure my dear sister of my welfare, and
increasing confidence in the success of
my undertaking.
I am already far north of London;
and as I walk in the streets of Peters-
VOL. I. B
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2 FRAKEEKSTEIN ; OB,
burgh, I feel a cold northern breeze
play upon my cheeks, which braces my
nerves, and fills me with delight. Do
you understand this feeling? This
hteez^j which basi trayelled froiBi^ the
regions towards which I am advancing,
gives me a foretaste of those icy climes.
Inspirited by this wind of promise, my
day dreams become more fervent and
vivid. I try in vain to be persuaded
that the pole is the seat of frost and de-
solation; it ever preseiits: itself to my
invagination as t^e regio^ of beauty ajnd
d^l^ght. There, Margaret, t^ sun is
for ever visible; i^ b^ad d^sk jqst
skirting the horiz^pnjf ap4 ^^iffugjng a
perpetual splendour. There— for with
your leave, my sipter, I will put some
frust in preceding navigs^tors — ^there
snow and frost are banished ; andj jail-
ing over a calm s^a, ^e may be wafted
to a land surpassing in wonders and
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THE MOPXRM PBQilBTHEUS. 5
in beauty every region hitherio dis-
OQ^ered on the habitable globe. Its
productions and features may be with-
out exa]nple> as the phenomena of the
keHfTenly bodies undoubtedly are in
tihoee undiscovered solitudes. What may
not be expected in a country of eternal
Ugbt ? I may there discover the wondrous
power which attracts the needle; and
W^y regulate a thousand celestial ob-
servations, that require only this voyage
to render their seeming eccentricities
consistent for ever. I shall satiate my
ardent curiosity with the sight of a part
(^f the world never before visited, and
may tread a land^sever before imprinted
by the foot of man. These are my en-
ticements, and they are sufficiait to con-
<pier all fear of danger or death, and to
induce me to commence this laborious
voyage witiiithe joy achild feels when he
b2
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4 FRANKENSTEIN ; OR,
embarks in a little bo^tj with his holi-*
day mates, on an expedition of discovery
up his native river. But, supposing all
these conjectures to be false, you cannot
contest the inestimable benefit which I
shall confer on all mankind to the last
generation, by discovering a passage
near the pole to those countries, to reach
which at present so many months are
requisite ; or by ascertaining the secret
o{ the magnet, which, if at all possible,
can only be effected by an undertaking
_ such as mine.
These reflections have dispelled the
agitation with which I began ray letter^
and I feel my heart glow with an en-
thusiasm which elevates me to heaven ;
for nothing contributes so much to tran-
quillize the mind as a steady purpose,— -
a point on which the soul may fix its in-
tellectual eye. This expedition has been
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 5
the favourite dream of my early years.
I have read with ardour the accounts of
the various voyages which have been
made in the prospect of arriving at the
North Pacific Ocean through the seas
which surround the pole. You may re-
member, that a history of all the voyages
made for purposes of discovery composed
the whole of our good uncle Thomas's
library. My education was neglected,
yet I was passionately fond of reading.
These volumes were my study day and
nighty and my familiarity with them in-
creased that regret. which I had felt, as a
child, on learning that my father's dying
injunction had forbidden my uncle to
allow me to embark in a sea- faring life.
These visions faded when I perused,
for the first time, those poets whose
aifusions entranced my soul, and lifted
it to heaven. I alto became a poet,
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^ ntiilCXSNSTEIH ; ORy
aad for one year lived in a Paradise Of
my t)wn creation ; I imay^ined tbat lalsb
might obtiiin a niche in the t^npieirheri
the names of Homer and Shaksj^are
are consecrated. You are well acquainted
with my failure, ismd bow heavily I bore
the disappointment. But judt a€ that
time I inherited the fortune of my cousin,
and my tbiAights were turned into the
channel of thetr eaiiier bent.
Six years have passed since I resolvedt
on my present undertaking. I can^ evfen
now, remember the hour from which i
dedicated myself to this great enterprise;
I codinienced by inuring my body to
hardship. I accompanied the whale^
fishfers on several expeditiotis to the
North Sea ; I voluntarily endured cold,
famine, thirst, and want 6f sleep; I
often worked harder than the common
sailors during the day, and devoted tny
^
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THE BK)|>S&K BEOlfBTHEVS. 7
nighto to the study of mathematics, the
theory of medicine, and those branches
of physical science from which a naval
adventure* might derive the greatest
practical advantage. Twice I actually
hired myself ^s an under-mate in a
Greenland whaler, and acquitted myself
to admiration. I must own I felt a
little proud, when my captain offered
me the second dignity in the vessel, and
^itreated me to remain with the greatest
earnestness; so valuable did he consider
my services.
And now, dear Margaret, do I not
deserve to accomplish some great pur-
pose? My life might have been passed
in ease and luxury; but I preferred
gloiy to every enticement that wealth
plated in ray path; Oh, that some en-
couraging Voice would answer in the
af&rmative ! My courage and my reso-
lution is firm; but my hopes fluctuate,
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S FRANKENSTBiK; OR,
and my spirits are often depressed. I
am about to proceed on a long and dif-
ficult voyage ; the emergencies of which
will demand all my fortitude: I am re*
quired not only to raise the spirits of
others, but sometimes to sustain my
own, when their's are failing.
This is the most favourable period for
travelling in Russia. They fly quickly
over the snow in their sledges; the mo-
tion is pleasant, and, in my opinion, far
more agreeable than that of an English
stage-coach. The cold is not excessive,
if you are wrapt in furs, a dress which
I have already adopted; for there is a
great difference between walking the
deck and remaining seated motionlei^
lor hours, when no exercise prevents
the blood from actually freezing in your
veins. I have no ambition to lose my
life on the post-road between St. Peters-
burgh and ArchangeK
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 9
I shall depart for the latter town in
a fortnight or three weeks; and my in-
tention is to hire a ship there, which can
easily be done by paying the insurance
for the owner, and to engage as many
sailors as I think necessary among those
who are accustomed to the whale-fishing.
I do not intend to sail until the month of
June; and when shall I return? Ah,
dear sister, how can I answer this ques-
tion ? If I succeed, many, many months,
perhaps years, will pass before you and
I may meet. If I fail, you will see me
again soon, or never.
Farewell, my dear, excellent, Mar-
garet. Heaven shower down blessings
on you, and save me, that I may again
and again testify my gratitude for all
your love and kindness.
Your affectionate brother,
R. Walton.
B 5 *
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10 ntAKXEKSTEXN ^ Oil^,
LETTER 11,
, To Mrs. Saville, England.
Archangel, 28th March, 17— '.-
How slowly the time passes here, en-
compassed as I am by frost and snow ;.
yet a second step is taken towards my
enterprise. I have hired a vessel, and
am occupied in collecting my sailors;
thode whom I have already engaged ap-
pear to be men on whom I can depend,
and are certainly possessed of dauntless
courage.
But I have one want which I have
never yet been able to satisfy; and
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 11
the absence of the object of which I
nMv feel as a most seivere evil. 1 have
no friend, Margaret : when I am glow-
ing with the enthusiasm of success,
there will be none to participate my
joy; it I am assailed by disappoint-
ment, no one will endeavour to sustain
me in dejection. I shall commit my
thoughts to paper, it is true; but that
is a poor medium for the communica-
tion of feeling. I desire the company
of a man who could sympathize with
me; whose eyes would reply to mine.
You may deem me romantic, my dear
sister, but I bitterly feel the want of a
friend. I have no one near me, gentle
yet courageous, possessed of a cultivated
as well as of a capacious mind, whose
tastes are like my own, to approve or
amend my plans. How would such a
friend repair the faults of your poor
brother ! I am too ardent in execution,
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-12 ." FRANKENflTEIN5 OB,
I
aud too impatient of difficulties. But it
is a still gieater evil to me that 1 iam
9elf-edj|cated : for the first fourteen years
of my life I ran wild on a common, and
read. nothing but our uncle Thomas's
books of voyages. At that age 1 became
acquainted v^^ith the celebrated poets of
our own country; but it was only when
it had ceased to be in my power to de-
rive its most important benefits from
such a conviction, that 1 perceived the
necessity of becoming acquainted with
more languages than that of my native
country. Now I am twenty-eight, and
am in reality more illiterate than many
school-boys of fifteen. It is true that 1
have thought more, and that my day
dreams are more extended and magni-
ficent ; but they want (as the painters call
it) keeping; and I greatly need a friend
who would have sense enough not to
despise me as romantic, and affection
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 13
enough for me to endeavour to regulate
my mind.
Well, these are useless complaints;
I shall certainly find no friend on the
wide ocean, nor even here in Archangel,
.among merchants and seamen. Yet
some feelings, unallied to the dross of
human nature, beat even in these rugged
bosoms. My lieutenant, for instance, is
a man of wonderful courage and enter-
prise j he is madly desirous of glory.
He is an Englishman, and in the midst
of national and professional prejudices^
unsoftened by cultivation, retains some
of the noblest endowments of humanity.
I first became acquainted with him on
board a whale vessel : finding that he
was unemployed in this city, I easily en-
gaged him to assist in my enterprise*
The master is a person of an excel-
lent disposition, and is remarkable in
the ship for his gentleness and the mild^
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14 PRANKENSTEIV; OR,
ness of his discipline. He is, indeed, of
so amiable a nature, that he m41I not
hunt (a favourite, ind almost the only
amusement here), because he cannot
endure to spill blood. He is, moreover,
heroically generous. Some years ago
he loved a young Russian lady, of mo-
derate fortune ; and having amassed a
considerable sum in prize-money, the
father of the girl consented to the
match. He saw his mistress once be-
fore the destined ceremony; but she
was bathed in tears, and, throwing her-
self at his feet, entreated him to spare
her, confessing at the same time that
she loved another, but that he was poor,
and that her father would never consent
to the union. My generous friend re-
s^sured the suppliant, and on being
informed of the name of her lover in-
stantly abandoned his pursuit. He had
already bought a farm with his money.
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THE lifbDBIlN I^ROMEtHfcUS. lA
on which h« had designed to pass the
remainder of his life ; but he bestowed
the whole on his rival, together with the
remains of his prixe-money to purchase
stock, and then himself solicited the
young woman's father to consent to her
marriage with lier lover. But the old
man decidedly refused, thinking him-
self bound in honour to my friend;
who, when he found the father fn-
exorable, quitted his country, nor re-
turned until he heard that his former
mistress was married according to her
inclinations. " What a noble fellow !"
you will exclaim. He is so ; but then he
has passed all his life on board a vessel,
and has scarcely an idea beyond the
rope and the shroud.
But do not suppose that, because I
complain a little, o;r because I can con-
ceive a consolation for my toils which I
may never know, that I am wavering
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16 FEAXUCX8TEIN ; OE
in my resolutions. Those are as fixed
as fate ; and my voyage is only now
delayed until the weather shalt permit
my embarkation. The winter has been
dreadfully severe; but the spring pro-
mises well, and it is considered as a
remarkably early season ; so that per-
haps I may sail sooner than I expected.
I shall do nothing rashly: you know
me sufficiently to confide in my pru-
dence and consideratenes$ whenever the
safety of others is committed to my care.
I cannot describe to you my sensa-
tions on the near prospect of my under-
taking. It is impossible to communicate
to you a conception of the trembling
sensation, half pleasurable and half fear-
ful, with which I am preparing to depart.
I am going to unexplored regions, to
** the land of mist and snow ;" but I
shall kill no albatross, therefore do not
be alarmed for my safety^
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THB MODERN PROMITHEUS. 17
Shall I meet you again, after having
traversed immense seas, and returned
by the most southern cape of Africa or
America ? I dare not expect such suc-
cess, yet I cannot bear to look on the
reverse of the picture. Continue to
write to me by every opportunity: I
may receive your letters (though the
chance is very doubtful) on some occa-
sions when I need them most to support
my spirits. I love you very tenderly.
Remember me with affection, should
you nevei; hear from me again.
Your affectionate brothery
Robert Walton^
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18 FEAHKIQISmN; OB>
LETTER HI-
To Mrs. Saville, England.
July7th, 17— .
MY DEAH firSTER,
1 WRITE a few lineg in haate, to say
that I am safe, and well advanced on
my voyage. This letter will reach
England by a merchant-man now on
its homeward voyage from Archangel ;
more fortunate than I, who may not
see. my native land, perhaps, for many
years. I am, however, in good spirits:
my men are bold, and apparently firm
of purpose ; nor do the floating sheets
of ice that continually pass us, indi-
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THE KODIRN FKOHETHEUS. 19
eating the cbiDgers of die region towards
which we are advancing, appear to diai^
may them. We have already reached a
very Irigh latitude ; but it is the height
of summer, and although not so warm
as in England, the southern gales, which
blow us speedily towards those shores
which I so ardently desire to attain,
breathe a degree of renovating warmth
which I had not expected.
No incidents have hitherto befallen
us that would make a figure in a letter.
One or two stiff gales, and the break-
ing of a mast, are accidents which ex-
perienced navigators scarcely remember
to record ; and I shall be well content
If nothing worse happen to us during
our voyage.
Adieu, my dear Margaret. Be assured,
that for my own sake, as well as yours,
I will not rashly encounter danger. I
will be cool, persevering, and prudent.
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20 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
Remember me to all my EDglish
friends.
Most affectionately yours,
R. W.
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 21
LETTER IV.
To Mrs. Saville, England.
August 5th^ 17—.
So strange an accident has happened
to us, that I cannot forbear recording it,
althbugh it is very probable that you
will see me before these papers can
come into your possession.
Last Monday (July 31 st), we were
nearly surrounded by ice, which closed
in the ship on all sides, scarcely leaving
her the sea room in which she floated.
Our situation was somewhat dangerous,
especially as we were compassed round
by a very thick fog. We accordingly
lay to, hoping that some change would
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S3 FRANKENSTEIN; OB,
take place in the atmosphere and
weather.
About two o'clock the mist cleared
away, and we beheld, stretched out in
every direction, vast and irregular plains
of ice,, which seemed to have no end.
Some of my comrades groaned, and my
own mind began to grow watchful with
anxious thoughts, when a strange sight
suddenly attracted our attention, and
diverted our solicitude from our own
situation. We perceived a low carriage,
fixed on a sledge and drawn by dogs,
pass on towards the north, at the distance
of half a mile : a being which had the
shape of a man, but apparently of gi-
gantic stature, sat in the sledge, and
guided the dogs. We watched the rapid
progress of the traveller with our te-
lescopes, until he was lost amiong the
distant inequalities of the ipe.
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THE HOPJBRN PROMETHEUS. 523
This appearance excited our unqua-
lified tvQnder. We were, a^ we believed,
if^mj hundred miles from any land;
but tbit^ apparitiqa seemed to denote
that it was not, in reality, so distant as
we ha4 supposed. Shut in, howeyer,
by ice, it was impossible to follow his
tracks which we had observed with the
greatest attention.
About two hours after this occur-
rence, we heard the ground sea; and
before night the ice broke, and freed
onr ship. We, however, lay to until the
morning, fearing to encounter in the
dark thc^^ large loose masses which
flc4t about ftfter the breaking up of the
iq^. I profited of this time to rest for a
few hours.
In the Homing, ho wever> as soon as
it was light, I went Upon deck, and
fpuQd all the ss^ilors busy on one side of
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24 FRANKENSTEIN; Ott,
the vessel, apparently talking to some
one in the sea. It was, in fact, a sledge^
like that we had seen before, which had
drifted towards us in the night, on a
large ' fragment of ice. Only one dog
remained alive ; but there was a human
being within it, whom the sailors were
persuading to enter the vessel. He wak
not, as the other traveller seemed to be,
a savage inhabitant of some undiscovered
island, but an European. When I ap-
peared on deck, the master said, " Here
is our captain, and he will not allow
you to perish on the open sea.*'
On perceiving me, the stranger ad-
dressed me in English, although with
a foreign accent. "Before I come on
board your vessel,'* said he, " will you
have the kindness to inform me whither
you are bound ?"
You may conceive my astonishment
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS.
on bearing such a question addressed
to me from a man on the brink of de-
8ti*iiction, and to whom I should have
supposed that my vessel would have
been a resource which he would not
have exchanged for the most precious
wealth the earth can afford. I replied,
however, that we were on a voyage of
discovery towards the northern pole.
Upon hearing this he appeared satis-
fied, and consented to come on board.
Good God ! Margaret, if you had seen
^ man who thus capitulated for his
safety, your surprise would have been
boundless. His limbs were nearly frozen,
and his body dreadfully emaciated by
iatigue and suffering. I never saw a
man in so wretched a condition. We
attempted to carry him into the cabin;
but as soon as he had quitted the fresh
air, he fainted. We accordingly brought
VOL. I. c
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26 FBANK£XST£IN ; OB9
him back to the deck, and restored
him to animation by rubbing him with
brandy, and forcia^ him to swallow a
small quantity. As soon as he showed
signs of life we wrapped him up in
blankets, and placed him near the chim-^
ney of the kitchen-stove. By slow d€-'
grees he recovered, and ate a little soup,
w hich restored him wonderfully.
Two days passed in this manner be-
fore he ^ as able to speak ; and I often
feared that his sufferings had deprived
him of understanding. When he had
in some measure recovered, I removed
him to my own cabin, and attended on
him as much as my duty would permit.
I never saw a more interesting creature:
his eyes have generally an expression of
wildness, and even madness ; but there
are moments when, if any one performs
an act of kindness toward^ him, or does
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 27
him any the most trifling service, his
whole countenance is lighted up, as it
were, with a beam of benevolence and
sweetness that I never saw equalled.
But he is generally melancholy and
despairing; and son;ietimes he gnashes
bis teeth, as if impatient of the weight
of woes that oppresses him.
When my guest was a little recovered,
I had great trouble to keep off the
men, who wished to ask him a thousand
questions ;« but I would not allow him
to be tormented by their idle curiosity,
in a state of body and mind whose
restoration evidently depended upon en-
tire repose. Once, however, the lieu-
tenant asked. Why he had come so
far upon the ice in so strange a ve-
hicle?
. His countenance instantly assumed
an aspect of the deepest gloom ; and he
c2
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2S FEANKENSTEIN ; OE,
replied, " To seek otie who fled from
me.
" And did the man whom you pur-
sued travel in the same fashion ?"
"Yes,"
" Then I fJEtncy we have seen him ;
for, the day before we picked you up,
we saw some dogs drawing a sledge,
with a man in it, across the ice/*
This aroused the stranger's attention;
and he asked a multitude of questions
concerning the route which the daemon^
as he called him, had pursued. Soon after,
when he was alone with me, he said, " I
have, doubtless, excited your curiosity, Bfi
well as that of these good people ; but you
are too considerate to make inquiries/*
" Certainly; it would indeed be very
impertinent and inhuman in me to
trouble you with any inquisitiveness of
miniB,"
y Google
THE MODBRN PROMETHEUS. S9
** And yet you res<^ued: me from a
strange and pmlous situation ; you have
benevolently restored me to life/'
Soon aft^r this he inquired if I thought
that the breaking up of the ice had de-
stroyed the other sledge ? I replied, that
I could not answer with any degree of
certainty; for the ice had not broken
until near midnight, and the traveller
might have arrived at a place of safety
before that time ; but of this I could not
judge.
From this time the stranger seemed
very eager to be upon deck, to watch for
the sledge which had before appeared;
but I have persuaded him to remain
in the cabin, for he is far too weak to
sustain the rawness of the atmosphere.
But I have promised that some one
should watch for him, and give him
instant notice if any new object should
appear in sight. .
y Google
So FRANKENSTEIN; OK,
Such is my journal of what relates
to this strange occurrence up to the
present day. The stranger has gradu-
ally improved in healthy but is very
silent, and appears uneasy when any
one except myself enters his cabin. Yet
his manners are so conciliating and
gentle, that the sailors are all interested
in him, although they have had very
little communication with him. For
my own part, I begin to love him as
a brother ; and his constant and deep
grief fills me with sympathy and com-
passion. He must have been a nobl'e
creature in his better days, being even
now in wreck so attractive and ami-
able.
•I said in one of my letters, my dear
Margaret, that I should find no friend
on the wide ocean ; yet I have found a
man who, before his spirit had been
broken by misery, I should hiatve been
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 31
happy to have possessed as the brother
of my heart.
I shall continue my journal concern-
ing the stranger at intervals, should I
have any fresh incidents to record.
August 13th, 17 —
My affection for my guest increases
€very day. He excites at once my ad-
miration and my pity to an astonishing
degree. How can I see so noble a crea-
ture destroyed by misery without feeling
the most poignant grief? He is so
gentle, yet so wise ; his mind is so culti-
vated ; and when he speaks, although
his words are culled with the choicest
art, yet they flow with rapidity and ua-
paralleled eloquence.
He is now much recovered from his
illness, and is continually on the deck,
apparently watching for the sledge that
preceded his own. Yet, although un-
Digitized by VjOOQIC
3S FYANIESKSTEIN ; OB^
happy, he is not so utterly occupied by
his own misery, but that be interests
himself deeply in the employments of
others. He has asked me many ques-
tions concerning my design; and I
have related my little history frankly
to him. He appeared pleased with
the confidence, and suggested several
alterations in my plan, which I shall
find exceedingly useful. There is no
pedantry in his manner; but all he
does appears to spring solely from the
interest he instinctively takes in the
welfare of those who surround him. He
is often overcome by gloom, and then
he sits by himself, and tries to overcome
all that is sullen or unsocial in bis
humour. These paroxysms pass from
him like a cloud from before the sun,
though his dejection never leaves him.
I hav-e endeavoured to win his con?
fidence; anci I trust that I have suc-
y Google
THE MOD^HK PROMlStHSUS. $3
beeded. One day I mentioned to him
the desire I had always felt of finding
a friend who might sympathise with
me, and direct me by his counsel. I
daid, I did not belong to that class of
men who are ofiended by advice. " I
am self-educated, and perhaps I hardly
i^ely suflSciently upon my own powers.
I wish, therefore, that my companion
should be wiser and more experienced
than myself, to confirm and support me ;
nor have I believed it impossible to find
a true friend.**
" I agree with you,*' replied the
stranger, " in believing that friendship
is not only a desirable, but a possible
acquisition. I once had a friend, the
most noble of human creatures, and
am entitled, therefore, to judge respect-
ing friendship. You have hope, and
the world before you, and have no
cause for ^despair. But I 1 have
c5
y Google
84« FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
lost evei^y thing, and cannot begin' life
anew/'
As he said this, his countenance be-
can^e expressive of a calm settled grief,
that touched me to the heart. But lie
was silent, and presently retired to his
cabin. ,
Even broken in spirit as he is, ^ no
one can feel more deeply than he does
the beauties of nature. The starry sky,
the sea, and dvery sight afforded by
these wonderful regions, seems still to
have the power of elevating his soul
from earth. Such a man has a double
existence : he may suffer misery, and be
overwhelmed by disappointments; yet,
when he has retired into himself, he will
be like a celestial spirit, that has a halo
around him, within whose circle no grief
or folly ventures.
Will you laugh at the enthusiasm
I express concerning this c^vine wan-
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 35
derer?. If you do, you must have cer-
tainly lost that simplicity which was
once your characteristic charm. Yet,
if you will, smile at the warmth of my
expressions, while I find every day new
causes for repeating them.
August 19tb, 17—.
Yesterday the stranger said to me,
"You may easily perceive, Captain
Walton, that I have suffered great and
unparalleled misfortunes. I had deter-
mined, once, that the memory of these
evils should die with me ; but you have
won me to alter my determination. You
seek for knowledge and wisdom, as I
once did J and I ardently hope that the
gratification of your wishes may not be
a serpent to sting you, as mine has been.
I do not know that the relation of my
misfortunes will be useful to you ; yet, if
y Google
86 FSANXSHtTEIN; OB,
yon are inclined, listen to my tale.; I be^*
lieve that the strange incidents connected
with it will aflford a riew of nature, which
may enlarge your faculties and under-
standing. You will liear of powers and
occurrences, such as you have been ac*
customed to believe impossible: but I
do not doubt that my tale conveys in its
series internal evidence of the truth of
the events of which it is composed/*
You may easily conceive that I was
much gratified by the offered communi-
cation ; yet I could not endure that he
should renew his grief by a recital of his
misfortunes. I felt the greatest eager-
ness to hear the promised narrative,
partly from curiosity, and partly from a
strong desire to ameliorate his fate, if it
were in my power. I expressed these
feelings in my answer.
" I thank you,** he replied, " for
y Google
THE IfODKEN FR01CRTHEU8. 87
your sympathy/ but it is useless; my
fate is nearly fulfilled. 1 wait but for
ooe :event, aad then I shall repose in
peace. I understand your feeling/* con-?
tinned he, perceiving that I wished to
interrupt him j '* but you are mistaken,
my friend, if thus you will allow me
to name you; nothing can alter my
destiny: listen to my history, and you
will perceive how irrevocably it is de-
termined.'*
He then told me, that he would com-
mence his narrative the next day when
I should be at leisure. This promise
drew from me the warmest thanks. I
have resolved every night, when I am
not engaged, to record, as nearly as
possible in his own words, what he has
related during the day. If I should
be engaged, I will at least make notes.
This manuscript will doubtless afford
you the greatest pleasure : but to me.
y Google
38 FRANKEKSnSIN; OB,
who know him, and who hear it from
his own lips, with what interest and
sympathy shall I read it in some future
day!
A
y Google
THE MODERN PRQrMETHfiUS. 99
FRANKENSTEIN ;
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS.
CHAPTER I.
I AM by birth a Genevese ; and my
family is one of the most distinguished
of that republic. My . ancestors had
been for many years counsellors and
syndics; and my father had filled se-
veral public situations with honour and
reputation. He was respected by all
who knew him for his integrity and in-
defatigable attention to public business.
He passed his younger days perpetually
occupied by the affairs of his country;
y Google
40 FRAKfi:EN8TEl^ ; OR/
and it was not until the decline of life
that he thought of marrying, and be-
stowing on the state sons who might
carry his virtues and his name down to
posterity.
As the circumstances of his marriage
illustrate his character, I cannot refrain
from relating them. One of his most
intimate friends was a merchant, who,
from a flourishing state, fell, through nu-
merous mischances, into poverty. This
man, whose name was Beaufort, was of
a proud and unbending disposition, and
could not bear to live in poverty and
oblivion in the same country where he
had formerly been distinguished for his
rank and magnificence. Having paid
his debts, therefore, in the most ho-
nourable manner, he retreated with his
daughter to the town of Lucerne, where
he lived unknown and in wretchedness.
My father loved Beaufort with the truest
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 41
friendship, and was deeply grieved by
his retreat in these luifortunate circum^
istances. He grieved also for the loss ci
his society, and resolved to: seek him
out, and endeavour to persuade him to
b^in the vForld again through his credit
and assistance.
Beaufort had taken effectual measures
to conceal himself; and it was ten months
before my father discovered his abode.
Overjoyed at this discovery, he hastened
to the house, which was situated in a
mean street, near the Reuss. But when
he entered, misery and despair alone
welcomed him. Beaufort had saved but
a very small sum of money from the
wreck of his fortunes; but it was suf-
ficient t(\ provide him with sustenance
for some months, and in the mean time
he hoped to procure some respectable
employment in a merchant's house. The
y Google
42 FRANKENSTEIN; OR;
interval was consequently spent in in-
action ; his grief only became more deep
and rankling, when he had leisure for
reflection ; and at length it took so fast
hold of his mind, that at the end of three
months he lay on a bed of sickness, in-^
capable of any exertion.
His daughter attended him with the
greatest tenderness; but she saw with
despair that their little fund was rapidly
decreasing, and that there was no other
prospect of support. But Caroline Beau-
fort possessed a mind of an uncommon
mould I and her courage rose to sup-
port her in her adversity. She pro-
cured plain work; she plaited straw;
4ind by various means contrived to earn
a pittance scarcely sufficient to support
life.
Several months passed in this man-
ner. . Her father grew worse ; her time
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETH£US. 43
was more -entirely occupied in attend-
ing him ; her means of subsistence de-
creased; and in the tenth month her
father died in her arms, leaving her an
orphan and a beggar. This last blow
overcame her ; and she knelt by Beau*
fort's coffin, weeping bitterly, when iny
father entered the chamber. He came
like a protecting spirit to the poor girl,
who committed herself to his^ care, and
after the interment of his friend, he
conducted her to Geneva, and placed
her under the protection of a relation.
Two years after this event Caroline
became his wife.
When my father became a husband
and a parent, he found his time so occu-
pied by the duties of his new situation,
that he relinquished many of his public
employments, and devoted himself to
the education. of his children. Of these
I was the eldest, and the destined suc-
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44 FRANKENSTEIN ; OR5
cesser to all his labours and utility.
No creature could have ntore tand^
parents than mine. My improvejoieirt
apd health were their constant care,
especially as I remained for several years
their only child. But before I continue
my narrative, I must record an incident
which took place when I was four years
of age.
My father had a sister, whom he
tenderly loved, and who had married
early in life an Italian gentleman. Soon
after her marriage, she had accom-
panied her husband into his native
country, and for some years my fathcar
had very little communication with her.
About the time I mentioned she died ;
and a few months afterwards he re-
ceived a letter from her husband, ac-
quainting him with his intention of
marrying an Italian lady, and request-
ing my father to take charge of the in-
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 4^
fftot Elizabeth, the only child of his
deceased sister. " It is my wish,*' he
said, ^^ that you should consider her as
your own daughter, and educate her
thus. Her mother's fortune is secured
ta her, the documents of which I will
commit to your keeping. Reflect upon
this, proposition ; and decide whether
you would prefer educating your niece
yourself to her being brought up by a
stepmother."
My father did not hesitate, and im-
mediately went to Italy, that he might
accompany the little Elizabeth to her fu-
ture home. I have often heard my mo-
ther say, that she was at that ti me the most
beautiful child she had ever seen, and
showed signs even then of a gentle and
afiectionate disposition. These indica-
tioiis, and a desire to bind as dosely as
possible the ties of demestic love, deter-
mined my mother to consider Elizabeth
y Google
46 FRANKENSTEIN; OE,
as iny future wife ; a design which she
never found reason to repent.
From this time Elizabeth Lavenza
became my playfellow, and, as we grew
older, my friend. She was docile and
good tempered, yet gay and playful as-
a summer insect. Although she was
lively and animated, her feelings were
strong and deep, and her disposition un-
commonly affectionate. No one could
better enjoy liberty, yet no one could
submit with more grace than she did
to constraint and caprice. Her imagi-
nation was luxuriant, yet her capability
of application was great. Her person
was the image of her mind ; her hazel
eyes, although as lively as a bird's, pos-
sessed an attractive softness. Her figure
was light and airy; and, though capa-
ble of enduring great fatigue, she ap-
peared the most fragile creature in the
world. While I admired her under-
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 47
i^tanding and fancy^ I loved to tend on
her, as I should on a favourite animal ;
and I never saw so much grace both of
person and mind united to so little pre-
tension*
Every one adored Elizabeth. If the
servants had any request to make, it was
always through her intercession. We
were strangers to any species of dis-
union and dispute ; for although there
was a great dissimilitude in our cha*
meters, there was an harmony in that
Vi6ry dissimilitude. I was more calm
and: philosophical than my companion ;
yet: toy temper was not so yielding.
My application was of longer endu-
rance; but it was not so severe whilst it
endured. I delighted in investigating
the facts relative to the actual world ;
she busied herself in following the aerial
creations of the poets. The world was:
to me a secret, which I desired to dis-
y Google
48 ^ FRANKENSTEIN; 0£,
cover ; to her it wias a vacancy, which
she sought to people with imaginations
of her own.
My brothers were considerably young-
er than myself; but I had a friend in
one of my schoolfellows, who compen-
sated for this deficiency. Henry Cler-
val was the son of a merchant of Ge-
neva, an intimate friend of my fattier.
He was a boy of singular talent and
fancy. I remember, when he was nine
years old, he wrote a fairy tale, which
was the delight and amazement of all
his companions. His favourite study
consisted in books of chivalry and ro-
mance; and when very young, I can
remember, that we used to act plays
composed by him out of these favourite
books, the principal characters of which
were Orlando, Robin Hood, Amadis,
and St. George.
No youth could have passed more
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 40
happily than mioe. My pareats were
jndiilgent, and my companions amiable.
Our studies were never forced ; and by
some means we always had an end
placed in view, which excited as to ar-
dour in the prosecution of them« It
ims by this method, and not by emula*
tion, that we were ui^ed to application,
mizabeth was not incited to apply her-
self to drawing, that her companions
taught not outstrip her; but through the
desire of pleasing her aunt, by the
representation of some favourite scene
done by her own hand. We learned
Latin and English, that we might read
the writings in those languages; and
to far from study being made odious to
us through punishment, we loved appli-
cation, and our amusements would have
been the labours of other children. Per-
haps we did not read so many book«,
or learn languages so quickly, as those
VOL. I. D
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50 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
who are disciplined according to the
ordinary methods ; but what we learned
was impressed the more deeply on our
memories.
In this description of our domestic
circle I include Henry Clerval ; for he
was constantly with us. He went to
school with me, and generally passed
the afternoon at our house ; for being an
only child, and destitute of companions
at home, his father was well pleased
that he should find associates at our
house; and we were never completely
happy when Clerval was absent.
I feel pleasure in dwelling on the re-
collections of childhood, before misfor-^^
tune had tainted my mind, and changed
its bright visions of extensive useful-^
ness into gloomy and narrow reflections
upon self. But, in drawing the picture
of my early days, I must not omit to
record those events which led, by in-
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. ^ 51
sensible steps, to my after tale of misery:
for when I would account to myself for
the birth of that passion, which after-
wards ruled my destiny, I find it arise,
like a mountain river, from ignoble and
almost forgotten sources; but, swelling
as it proceeded, it became the torrent
which, in its course, has swept away all
my hopes and joys.
Natural philosophy is the genius that
has regulated my fate ; I desire therefore,
in this narration, to state those facts
which led to my predilection for that
science. When I was thirteen years of
age, we all went on a party of pleasure
to the baths near Thonon: the incle-
mency of the weather obliged us to re-
main a day coi^fined to the inn. In
this house I chanced to find a volume
of the works of Cornelius Agrippa. I
opened it with apathy ; the theory which
he attempts to demonstrate, and the
d2
y Google
M TRANKENSTEIN ; OR',
woftderful facts which he relates, soon
changed this feeling into enthusiasm.
A new light seemed to dawn upon my
mind ; and, bounding with joy, I com-
municated my discovery to my feither.
I cannot help remarking here the many
opportunities instructoi^ possess of di-
recting the attention of their pupils to
useful knowledge, which they utterly
neglect. My fether looked carelessly
at the title-page of my book^ and saki,
*' Ah ! Cornelius Agrippal My dear
Victor, do not waste your time upon
this ; it is sad trash/'
If, instead of this remark, my father
bad taken the pains to explain to me,
that the principles of Agrippa had been
entirely exploded, and that a modern
system of science had been introduced,
which possessed much greater powers
than the ancient, because the powen of
the latter were chimerical, while diose
y Google
THE HODSRK PEQICETHEUS. Aft
of the farmer were real and practical ;
under such circumstances^ I should cer-
tainly have thrown Agrippa aside, and,
with my imagination warmed a» it was,
should probably have applied myself to
the more rational theory of chemistry
which his resulted from modern dis-
coveries. It is even possible, that the
train of my ideas would never have re-
ceived the fSntl impulse that led to my
ruin. But the cursory glance my father
had taken of my volume by no means
assured me that he was acquainted with
ite contents; and I continued to read
with the greadest avidity.
When I returned home, my first care
was to procure the whole works of this
author, and afterwards- of Paracelsus
and Albert us Magnus. I read and stu-
died th? wild fancies of these writers
with delight ; they appeared to me trea-
^ Digitized by VjOOQIC
;:
54 FEANKSKSTBtK ; 0%,
sures known to few beside myself ; and
although I often wished to eommunicate
these secret stores, of knowledge to my
father, yet his indefinite censure of my
favourite Agrippa always withheld me- f-
I disclosed my discoveries to Elizabeth,
therefore, under a promise of^ strict se-
crecy; but she did not interest herself
in the subject, and I Mas left by her to
pursue my studies alone. Z^*^,, - v
It may appear very strange, that a
disciple of Albertus Magnus should arise
in the eighteenth century; but Vm* fti-
mily was not scientifical, and I had not
attended any of the lectures given at
the schools of Geneva. My dreams wi^jTi?
therefore undisturbed by reality ; and I
entered with the greatest diligence into
the search of the philosopher's stone and
the elixir of life. But the "^latter ob-
tained my most undivided attention:
f
■ "y- Digitized by Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. '55
wealth was an inferior object ; but what
glory would attend the discovery, if I
could banish disease from the human
frame, and render man invulnerable to
any but a violent death !
Nor were these my only visions. The
raising of ghosts or devils was a promise
liberally accorded by my favourite au-
thors, the fulfilment of which I most
eagerly sought; and if my incantations
were always unsuccessful, I attributed
the failure rather to my own inexperience
and mistake, than to a want of skill or
fidelity in my instructors.
The natural phenomena that take
place every day before our eyes did not
escape my examinations. Distillation,
and the wonderful efiects of steam, pro-
cesses of which my favourite authors
were utterly ignorant, excited my asto-
nisbment; but my utmost wonder was
y Google
56 FRAHSENBTEIHf OB,
enguged by sone experioients on an air-
pump, which I saw employed by a gen-
tteman whom we were in the habit of
yisitiDg.
The ignorance of the earfy pbiloso-
pfaers on these and several other points
serred to decrease their credit with me :
but I could not entirely throw them
aside, before some other system should
occupy their place in my mind.
When I was about fifteen years old,
we had retired to our house near Bel-
rive, when we witnessed a most violent
and terrible thunder-storm: It advanced
from behind the mountains of Jura ; and
the thunder burst at once with frightful
loudness from various quarters of the
heavens. I remained, while the storm
lasted, watching its progress with cu-
riosity and delight. As I stood at the
door, on a sudden i beheld a stream of
Digitized ShaOOgle
THI^ XqBSBV PtOMXTBEUS. ;£7
6re issue from an old and beautiful oak,
wkich stood about twenty yards from
oar bouse; and so soon as tbe dazzling
light yanished, the oak had disappeared^
and nothing remained but a blasted
stump. When we visited it the next
moniing, we found the tree shattered in
a singular manner. It was not splintered
by the shock, but entirely reduced to
thin ribands of wood. I never beheld
any thing so utterly destroyed.
The catastrophe of this tree excited
my extreme astonishment ; and I eagerly
inquired of- my father the nature and
origin of thunder and lightning. He re-
plied, ** Electricity;'* describing at the
same time the various effects of that
power. He constructed a small electrical
machine^ and exhibited a few experi-
ments ; he made also a kite, with a wire
and string, which drew down that fluid
from the clouds.
d5
y Google
58 FRAKK£NS¥£IK ; 08^
This last stroke completed the over-
throw of Cornelius Agrippa, Albertus
Magnus, and Paracelsus, who had so long
reigned the lords of my imagination. But
by some fatality I did not feel inclined
to commence the study of any modern
system ; and this disinclination was in-
fluenced by the following circumstance*
My father expressed a wish that I
should attend a course of lectures upon
natural philosophy, to which I cheer,
fully consented. Some accident pre-
vented my attending these lectures
until the course was nearly finished.
The lecture being, therefore, one of the
last, was entirely incomprehensible to
me. The professor discoursed with
the greatest fluency of potassium and
boron, of sulphates and oxyds, terms
to which I could affix no idea ; and I
became disgusted with the science of
natural philosophy, although I still read
y Google
THE ICODBRN PROMETHEUS. 59
Plifiy and Buffon with delight, authors,
in my estimation, of nearly equal inte-
rest and utility.
My occupations at this age were pinn-
cipally the mathematics, and most of
the branches of study appertaining to
that science. I was busily employed in
karning languages; Latin was already
familiar to me, and I began to read some
of the easiest Greek authors without the
help of a lexicon. I also perfectly under-
stood English and German. This is the
list of my accomplish tnents at the age of
seventeen ; and you may conceive that
roy hours were fully employed in ac-
quiring and maintaining a knowledge of
this various literature.
Another task also devolved upon me,
when I became the instructor of my bro-
thers. Ernest was six years younger
than myself, and was my principal pu-
pil. He had been aflBlicted with ill health
y Google
60 VRANSEKBTSnir ; Oft,
from bis infancy, through which Eliza'**
beth and I had been his constant nurses ;
his disposition was gentle, but he was
incapable of any severe application.
William, the youngest of our femily, was
yet an infant, a,nd the most beautiful
little fellow in the world ; his lively blue
eyes, dimpled cheeks, and endearing
manners, inspired the tenderest affec-
tion.
Such was our domestic circle, from
which care and pain seemed for ever
banished. My father directed our stu-
dies, atid my mother partook of our en-
joyments. Neither of us possessed the
slightest pre-eminence over the other;
the voice of command was never heard
atnongst us; but mutual affection en-
gaged us all to comply with and obey
the slightest desire of each other.
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 61
CHAPTER II.
When i had attained the age of seven*
teen, my parents resolved that I should
become a student at the university of
Ingolstadt. I had hitherto attended
the schools of Geneva ; but my father
thought it necessary, for the comple-
tion of my education, that I should be
made acquainted with other customs
than those of my native country. My
departure was therefore fixed at an
early date; but, before the day resolved
upon could arrive, the first misfortune
of my life occurred — an omen, as it
were, of my future misery.
y Google
9z frankeksteik; or^
Elizabeth had caught the scarlet
fever; but her illness was not severe,
and she quickly recovered. During
her confinement, many arguments had
been urged to persuade my mother to
refrain from attending upon her. She
had, at first, yielded to our entreaties;
but when she heard that her favourite
was recovering, she could no longer de-
bar herself from her society, and entered
her chamber long before the danger of
infection was past. The consequences
of this imprudence were fatal. On the
third day my mother sickened; lier
fever was very malignant, and the looks
of her attendants prognosticated the
worst event. On her death-bed . the
fortitude and benignity of this admira-
ble woman did not desert her. She
joined the hands of Elizabeth and
myself: " My children," she said, ** my
firmest hopes of future bappiaess were
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THE llOX>EmK PROMETHECrS. 69
placed on the prospect of your union.
This expectation will now be the con-
solation of your father. Elizabeth, my
love, you must supply my place to
your younger cousins. Alas ! I regret
that I am taken from you ; and, happy
and beloved as I have been, is it not
hard to quit you all > But these are not
thoughts befitting me; I wil lendeavour
to resign myself cheerfully to death, and
will indulge a hope of meeting you in
another world."
She died calmly; and her counter
nance expressed afiection even in death.
I need not describe the feelings of those
whose dearest ties are rent by that most
irreparable evil, the void that presents
itself to the soiil, and the despair that is
exhibited on the countenance. It is so
long before the mind can persuade it-
self that she, whom we saw every day, •
and whose very existence appeared a
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64 FRANKEKSTEIN; 0B|
part of our own, can have departed fbr
ever — ^that the brightness of a beloved
eye can have been extinguished, and
the sound of a voice so &iniiliar, and
dear to the ear, can be hushed, never
more to be heard.' These are the rcr
flections of the first days; but when the
lapse of time proves the reality of the
evil, then the actual bitterness of grief
commences. Yet from whom has not
that rude hand rent away some dear
connexion ; and why should I describe
a sorrow which all have felt, and must
feel ? The time at length arrives, when
grief is rather an indulgence than a ne-
cessity; and the smile that plays upon
the lips, although it may be deemed a
sacrilege, is not banished. My mother
was dead, but we had still duties which
we ought to perform ; we must conti*
nue our course with the rest, and learn
to think ourselves fortunate, whilst
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THE IfOOX&l^ FSOMBTHEUS. 65
one remains whom the spoikr has not
seized.
My jdarney to Ingolstadt, \f hich had
been deferred by these events, was now
agaiii determined upon. I obtained
from my father a respite of some weeks.
This period waa spent sadly ; my mo-
ther's death, and my speedy departure,
depressed oor spirits; but Elizabeth en-
deavoured to renew the spirit of cheer-
fulness in our little society. Since the
death of her aunt, her mind . had ac-
qmred new firmness and vigour. She
determined to fulfil her duties with the
grratest exactness; and she ^elt tha4; that
most imperious duty, of rendering her
uncle and cousins happy, had devolved
upon her. $he consoled me, amused
her uncle, instructed my brothers ; and
I never beheld her so enchanting as at
this time, when she was continually en-
deavouring to contribute to the happi-
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66 FRANKENSTEIN; OBy
ness of others, entirely forgetful of her-
self.
The day of my departure at length
arrived* I had taken leave of all my
friends, excepting Clerval, who spent
the last evening with us. He bitterly
lamented that he was unable to accom-
pany me: but his father could not be
persuaded to part with him, intending
that he should become a partner with
him in business, in compliance with hia
favourite theory, that learning was su-
perfluous in the commerce of ordinary
life. Henry had a refined mind; he
had no desire to be idle, and was well
pleased to become his father's partner,
but he believed that a man might be a
very good trader, and yet possess a cul-
tivated understanding.
We sat late, listening to bis com-
plaints, and making many little ar-
rangements for the future. The next
Digitized by VjOOQIC
THE MODEEV PEOMETHSUS. 67
morning early I departed. Tears
gushed from the eyei^ of Elizabeth ;
they proceeded partly from sorrow at
my departure, and partly because she
reflected that the same journey was to
haye taken place three months before,
when a mother's blessing would have
accompanied me.
I threw myself into the chaise that
was to convey me away, and indulged
in the most melancholy reflections. I,
who had ever been surrounded by ami-
able companions, continually engaged
in endeavouring to bestow mutual plea-
sure, I was now alone. In th e niver-
sity, whither I was going, I must form
my own friends, and be my own pro-
tector. My life had hitherto been re-
markably secluded and domestic ; and
this had given me invincible repug-
nance to new countenances. I loved
my brothers, Elizabeth, and Clerval ;
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68 F&ANKEM8TX1K ; OS,
these were " old familiar faces ;'* but I
believed myself totally unfitted for the
company of strangers* Such were my
reflections as I commenced my journey;
btit as I proceeded, my spirits and hopes
rose, I ardently desired the acquisi-»
tion of knowledge. I had often, when
at home, thought it hard to remain du-^
ring my youth cooped up in one place,
and had longed to enter the world, and
take my station among other human
beings. Now my desires were complied
with, and it would, indeed, have been
folly to repent.
I had sufficient leisure for these and
many other reflections during my jour*
ney to Ingolstadt, which was long and
fatiguing. At length the high white
steeple of the town met my eyes. I
alighted, and was conducted to my so*
litary apartment, to spend the evening
as I pleased.
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THfi MODERN PAOliETHEUS. 69
The Bext morning I delivered my
letters of introduction, and paid a visit
to some of the principal professors, and
among others to M. Krempe, professor
of natural philosophy. He received
me with politeness, and asked me se-
veral questions concerning my progress
in the different branches of science
appertaining to natural philosophy. I
mentioned, it is true, with fear and
trembliag, the only authors I had ever
read upon those subjects. The pro-
fessor stared : " Have you," he said,
^ really spent your time in studying
such nonsense ?*'
I replied in the affirmative. *^ Every
minute," continued M. Krempe with
warmth, " every instant that you have
wasted on those books is utterly and
entirely lost You have burdened your
memory with exploded systems, and
useless names. Good God! in what
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70 Frankenstein; oe,
desert land have you lived, where no
one was kind enough to inform you
that these fancies, which you have so
greedily imhibed, are a thousand years
old, and as musty as they are ancient ?
I little expected in this enlightened and
scientific age to find a disciple of Al-
bertus Magnus and Paracelsus. My
dear Sir, you must begin your studies
entirely anew/'
So saying, he stept aside, and wrote
down a list of several books treating of
natural philosophy, which he desired
me to procure, and dismissed me, after
mentioning that in the beginning of
the following week he intended to com-
mence a course of lectures upon natural
philosophy in its general relations, and
that M. Waldman, a fellow-professor,
would lecture upon chemistry the alter-
nate days that he missed.
I returned home^ not disappointed.
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THE MODEEN PROMEtHEUS* 71
for I had long considered those authors
useless whom the professor had so
strongly reprobated ; but I did not feel
much inclined to study the books which
I procured at his recommendation. M.
Krempe was a little squat man, with a
gruff voice and repulsive countenance ;
the teacher, therefore, did not prepossess
me in favour of his doctrine. Besides,
I had a contempt for the uses of modern
natural philosophy. It was Tery diffe-
rent, /nhen the masters of the science
sought immortality and power ; such
views, although futile, were grand : but
now the scene was changed. The am-
bition of the inquirer seemed to limit
itself to the annihilation of those visions
on which my interest in science was
chiefly founded. I was required to ex^
change chimeras of boundless grandeur
for realities of little worth.
Such were my reflections during the
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7S f&ank£KST£1n; or,
first t^o or three dkyfi spent almost in
solitude. But as the ensuing week conai*
menced^ I thought of the iufbrdiation
which M. Krempe had given me con*
cerning the lectures. And although I
cotild not consent to go and hear that
little conceited fellow deliver sentences
out of a pulpit, I recollected what be
had said of M. Waldman, whom I had
never seen, as he had hitherto been out
of town.
Partly from curiosity, and partly
from idleness, I went into the lecturing
room, which M. WaWman entered
shortly after. This professor was very
unlike his colleagtie. He appeared
about fifty years of age, but with an
aspect expressive of the greatest bene-
volence; a few gray hairs covered his
temples, but those at the back of his
head were nearly black. His person
was short, but remarkably erect ; and his
^ .„Coo,.
"StHE MODEKN PROMETHEUS. 73
voice the sweetest I had ever heard.
He began his lecture by a recapitu-
lation of the history of chemistry and
the various improvements made by dif-
ferent men of learnings pronouncing
with fervour the names of the most
distinguished discoverers. He then took
a cursory view of the present state of
the science^ and explained many of its
elementary terms. After having made
a few preparatory experiments, he con-
cluded with a panegyric upon modern
chemistry, the terms of which I shall
never forget : —
'VThe ancient teachers of this sci-
ence/' said he, .^' promised impossibili-
ties, and performed nothing. The mo-
dern masters promise very little j they
know that metals cannot be transmuted,
and that the elixir of life is a chi-
mera. But these philosophers, whose
hands seem only made to dabble in
VOL. I. B
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74 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
dirt, and . their eyes to pore over the
microscope or crucible, have indeed per-
formed miracles. They penetrate into
the recesses of nature, and show how
she works in her hiding places. They
ascend into the heavens : they have dis*
covered how the blood circulates, and
the nature of the air we breathe. They
have acquired new and almost unlimited
powers ; they can command the thun-
ders of heaven, mimic the earthquake,
and even mock the invisible world with
its own shadows."
I departed highly pleased with the
professor and his lecture, and paid him
a visit the same evening. His manners
in private were even more mild and at-
tractive than in public ; for there was a
certain dignity in his mien during his
lecture, which in his own house was
replaced by the greatest affability and
kindness. He heard with attention my
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THE MODERN PEOUETHEUS. 75
little narration concerning my studies,
and smiled at the names of Cornelins
Agrippa and Paracelsus, but without
the contempt that M. Krempe had ex-
hibited. He said, that ^^ these were
mea to whose indefatigable zeal mo-
dern philosophers were indebted for
most of the foundations of their know-
ledge. They had left to us, as an easier
task, to give new names, and arrange
in connected classifications, the facts
which they in a great degree had been
the instruments of bringing to light.
The labours of men of genius, however
ert'oneously directed, scarcely ever fail
in ultimately turning to the solid ad-
-vantage of mankind.*' I listened to his
statement, which was delivered without
any presumption or affectation ; and
then added, that his lecture had re-
moved my prejudices against modern
chemists ; and I, at the same time, re-
E 2
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76 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
quested his advice concerning the books
I ought to procure.
" I am happy," said M. Waldman,
" to have gained a disciple ; and if your
application equals your ability, I have
no doubt of your success. Chemistry is
that branch of natural philosophy in
ivhich the greatest improvements have
been and may be made: it is on that
account that I have made it my peculiar
study ; but at the same time I have not
neglected the other branches of science.
A man would make but a very sorry
chemist if he attended to that depart-
ment of human knowledge alone. If
your wish is to become really a man of
science, and not merely a petty experi-
mentalist, I should advise you to apply
fo every branch of natural philosophy,
including mathematics/'
He then took me into his laboratory,
and explained to me the uses of his
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 77
various machines ; instructing me as to
what I ought to procure, and promising
me the use of his own when I should
have advanced far enough in the science
not to derange their mechanism. He
also gave me the list of books which I
had requested ; and I took my leave.
Thus ended a day memorable to me :
it decided my future destiny.
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78 FRANKENSIT£IN ; OR,
CHAPTER Iir.
From this day natural philosophy, and
particularly chemistry, in the most com-
prehensive sense of the term, became
nearly my sole occupation. I read with
ardour those works, so full of genius and
discrimination, which modern inquirers
have written on these subjects. I at-
tended the lectures, and cultivated the
acquaintance, of the men of science of
the university ; and I found even in M.
Krempe a great deal of sound sense
and real information, combined, it is
true, with a repulsive physiognomy and
manners, but not on that account the
less valuable. In M. Waldman *I found
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 79
a true friend. His gentleness was ne-
ver tinged by dogmatism; and his in-
structions were given with an air of
frankness and good nature, that ba-
nished every idea of pedantry. It was,
perhaps, the amiable character of this
man that inclined me more to that
branch of natural philosophy which he
professed, than an intrinsic love for the
science itself. But this state of mind
had place only in the first steps towards
knowledge: the more fully I entered
into the science, the more exclusively
I pursued it for its own sake. That
application, which at first had been a
matter of duty and resolution, now be-
came so ardent and eager, that the stars
often disappeared in the light of morn-
ing whilst I was yet engaged in my
laboratory.
As I applied so closely, it may be
easily conceived that I improved ra-
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80 jFRANKENStein ; ok,
pidly. My ardour was indeed the asto-
nishment of the students ; and my pro^
ficiency, that of the masters. Professor
Krempe often asked me, with a sly
smile, how Cornelius Agrippa went on ?
whilst M. Waldman expressed the most
heartfelt exultation in my progress.
Two years passed in this manner, dur-
ing which I paid no visit to Geneva,
but was engaged, heart and soul, in the
pursuit of some discoveries, which I
hoped to make. None but those who
have experienced them can conceive of
the enticements of science. In other
studies you go as far as others have
gone before you, and there is nothing
more to know ; but in a scientific pur-
suit there is continual food for discovery
and wonder. A mind of moderate ca-
pacity, which closely pursues one study,
must infallibly arrive at great profi-
ciency in that study; and I, who con^
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THE fifODERN PROMETHEUS. 81
tinually sought the attainment of one
object of pursuit, and was solely wrapt
up in this, improved so rapidly, that, at
the end of two years, I made some dis-
coveries in the improvement of some
chemical instruments, which procured
me great esteem and admiration at the
university. When I had arrived at this
point, and had become as well ac-
quainted with the theory and practice
of natural philosophy as depended on
the lessons of any of the professors at
Ingolstadt, my residence there being no
longer conducive to my improvements,
I thought of returning to my friends
and my native town, when an incident
happened that protracted my stay.
One of the phenomena which had
peculiarly attracted my attention was
the structure of the human frame, and,
indeed, any animal endued with life.
Whence, I often asked myself, did the
E 5
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principle of life proceed ? It was a hoM
question, and one which has ever been
considered as a mystery; yet with how
many things are we upon the brink of
becoming acquainted, if cowardice or
carelessness did not restrain our in^
quiries. I revolved these circumstances
in my mind, and determined thenceforth
to api^y myself mot-e particularly to
those branches of natural philosophy
which relate to physiology. Unless I
had been animated by an almost super*
natural enthusiasm, my application to
this study would have been irksome^
and almost intolerable. I'o examine the
causes of life, we must first have recourjse
to death. I became acquainted with the
science of anatomy : but this was not suf-
ficient ; I must also observe the natural
decay and corruption of the hunmn body.
In my education my father had taken
the greatest precautions that my mind
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THE JiODERN PROMETHEUS. Sl
should be impressed with no superna-
tural horrors. I do not ever remember
to have trembled at a tale of super-
stition, or to have feared the apparition
bf a spirit. Darkness had no effect upon
my fkncy ; and a churchyard was to me
merely the receptacle of bodies deprived
of life, which, from being the seat of
beauty and strength, had become food
for the worm. Now I was led to examine
the cause and progress of this decay,
and forced to spend days and nights in
vaults and charnel-houses. My attention
was fixed upon every object the most
insupportable to the delicacy of the hu-
man feelings. I saw how the fine form
of man was degraded and wasted ; I be-
held the corruption of death succeed to
the blooming cheek of life ; I saw how
the worm inherited the wonders of the
eye and brain. I paused, examining and
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84 FRANKENSTEIN; OBf
analysing all the minutise of causation,
as exemplified in the change from life
to death, and death to life, until from
the midst of this darkness a sudden light
broke in upon me — a light sq brilliant
and wondrous, yet so simple, that while
I became dizzy with the immensity of
the prospect which it illustrated, I was
surprised, that among so many men of
genius who had directed their inquiries
towards the same science, that I alone
shotild be reserved to discover so aston-
ishing a secret.
Remember, I am not recording the
vision of a madman. The sun does not
more certainly shine in the heavens,
than that which I now affirm is true.
Some miracle might have produced it,
yet the stages of the discovery were di-
stinct and probable. After days and
nights of incredible labour and fatigue^
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TH£ MP>BRH PROMETHEUS. 85
I succeeded in discovering the cause of
generation and life ; nay^ more, I became
myself capable of bestowing animation
upon lifeless matter.
The astonishment which I had at first
experienced on this discovery soon gave
place to delight and rapture. After so
much time spent in painful labour, to
arrive at once at the summit of my de-
sires, was the most gratifying consum-
mation of my toils. But this discovery
was so great and overwhelming, that all
the steps by which I had been pro*
gressively led to it were obliterated, and
I beheld only the result. What had been
the study and desire of the wisest men
since the creation of the world, was now
within jny grasp. Not that, like a magic
scene, it all opened upon me at once :
the information I had obtained was of
a nature rather to direct my endeavours
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86 iPRAKKfiNSTEni ; ^B,
so BOOH as I should point them towards
the object of my search, than to exhibit
that object already accomplished. I was
like the Arabian who had been buried
with the dead, and found a passage to
life, aided only by one glimmering, and
seemingly ineffectual, light.
I see by your eagerness, and the
wonder and hope which your eyes ex-
press, my friend, that you expect to be
informed of the secret with which I am
acquainted ; that cannot be : listen pa-
tiently until the end of my story, and
you will easily perceive why I am re-
served upon that subject. I will not
lead you on, unguarded and ardent as
I then was, to your destruction and in-
fallible misery. Learn from me, if not
by my precepts, at least by my example,
how dangerous is the acquirement of
knowledge, and how much happier that
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THB KOBBRN PROHETHCUS. 87
man is i¥ho believes bis Dative town to
be the world, than he who aspires to be-
c?€[ine greater than his nature will allow*
When I found so astonishing a power
placed within ray hands, I hesitated a
long time concerning the manner in
which I should employ it. Although
I possessed the capacity of bestowing
animation, yet to prepare a frame for
the reception of it, with all its intri-
cacies of fibres, muscles, and veins, still
remained a work of inconceivable dif-
ficHlty and labour. I doubted at first
whether I should attempt the creation
of a being like myself, or one of simpler
organizatioji ; but my imagination was
too much exalted by my first succesil
to permit me to doubt of my ability to
give life to an animal as complex and
wonderful as man. The materials at
present within my command hardly ap-
peared adequate to so arduous an un«
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88 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
dertaking; but I doubted not that I
should ultimately succeed. I prepared
myself for a multitude of reverses; my
operations might be incessantly baffled,
and at last my work be imperfect : yet,
when I considered the' improvement
which every day takes place in science
and mechanics, I was encouraged to
hope my present attempts would at least
lay the foundations of future success.
Nor could I consider the magnitude
and complexity of my plan as any argu-
ment of its impracticability. It was
with these feelings that I began the
creation of a human being. As the
minuteness of the parts formed a great
hindrance to my speed, I resolved, con-
trail to my first intention, to make the
being of a gigantic stature; that is to
say, about eight feet in height, and pro-
portionably large. After having formed
this determination, and havmg spent
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 89
some months in successfully collecting
and arranging my materials, I began.
No one can conceive the variety of
feelings which bore me onwards, like a
hurricane, in the first enthusiasm of
success. Life and death appeared to
me ideal bounds, which I should first
break through, and pour a torrent of
light into our dark world. A new spe-
cies would bless me as its creator and ,
source ; many happy and excellent na-
tures would owe their being to me. No
father could claim the gratitude of his
child so completely as I should deserve
theirs. Pursuing these reflections, I
thought, that if I could bestow anima-
tion upon lifeless matter, I might in pro-
cess of time (although I now found it im-
possible) renew life where death had ap-
parently devoted the body to corruption.
These thoughts supported my spirits,
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90 FRANKENSTEIN; OR^
while I pursued my undertaking with
unremitting ardoun My cheek had
grown pale with study, and my person
had become emaciated with confinement.
Sometimes, on the very brink of cer-
tainty, I failed ; yet still I clung to the
hope which the next day or the next
hour might realize. One secret which
I alone possessed was the hope to which
I had dedicated myself; and the moon
gazed on my midnight labours, while,
with unrelated and breathless eagerness,
I pursued nature to her hiding-places.
Who shall conceive the horrors of my
secret toil, as I dabbled among the un-
hallowed damps of the grave, or tortured
the living animal to animate the lifeless
clay ? My limbs now tremble, and my
eyes swim with the remembrance; but
then a resistless, and almost frantic im-
pulse, urged me forward ; I seemed to
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 91
have k)st all soul or sensation but for
this one |>ursQit It was indeed but a
passing trance, that only made me feel
with renewed acuten^ds so soon as, the
unnatural stimulus ceasing to operate, I
had returned to my old habits. I col-
lected bones from charnel-houses; smd
disturbed, with profane fingers, the tre-
mendous secrets of the human frame.
In a solitary chamber, or rather cell, at
the top of the house, and separated from
all the other apartments by a gallery aiid
dtaircs^e, I kept my workshop of filthy
creation : my eyeballs were starting from
their sockets in attending to the details
of my employment. The dissecting rocto
and the slaughter-house furnished many
of my materials ; and often did my hu-
man nature turn with loathing from my
occupation, whilst, still urged on by an
eagerness which perpetually increased,
I brought my work fiear to a conclusion.
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92 FRAKKENSTEIK ; OB^
The summer months passed while I
was thus engaged, heart and soul, in
one pursuit. It was a most beautiful
season; never did the fields bestow a
more plentiful harvest, or the vines
yield a more luxuriant vintage : but my
eyes were insensible to the charms of
nature. And the same feelings which
made me neglect the scenes around me
caused me also to forget those friends
who were so many miles absent, and
whom I had not seen for so long a
time. I knew my silence disquieted
them ; and I well remembered the
words of my father: " I know that
while you are pleased with yourself, you
will think of us with aiSection, and we
shall hear regularly from you. You
must pardon me if I regard any inter-
ruption in your correspondence as a
proof that your other duties are equally
neglected,**
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The modern promethEus. 93
I knew well therefore what would be
my father's feelings; but I could not
tear tny thoughts from my employment,
loathsome in itself, but which had taken
an irresistible hold of my imagination.
I wished, as it were, to procrastinate all
that related to my feelings of atfection
until the great object, which swallowed
up every habit of my nature, should be
completed.
I then thought that my father would
be -unjust if he ascribed my neglect to
yice, or faultiness on my part; but I
am now convinced that he was justified
in conceiving that I should not be al-
together free from blame. A human
being in perfection ought always to pre*
serve a calm and peaceful mind, and
never to allow passion or a transitory
desire to disturb his tranquillity. I do
not think that the pursuit of knowledge
is an exception to this rule. If the
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94 FRANK£KSTEIK ; OB^
study to which you appJy yourself has
a tendeacy to weaken your aifectioas,
and to destroy your taste for those
simple pleasures in which no alloy can
possibly mix, then that study is cer-
tainly unlawful, that is to say, not be-
fitting the human mind. If this rule
were always observed ; if no man al-
lowed any pursuit whatsoever to inter-
fere with the tranquillity of his domestic
affections, Greece had not been en-
slaved ; Caesar would have spared his
country ; America would have been dis-
covered more gradually; and the em-
pires of Mexico and Peru had not been
destroyed.
But I forget that I am moralizing in
the most interesting part of my tale;
and your looks remind me to proceed.
My father made no reproach in his
letters, and only took notice of my si-
lence by inquiring into my occupations
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THE MOD£RK PROMETHEUS. 95
more particularly than before. Winter,
spring, and summer passed away during
my labours; but I did not watch the
blossom or the expanding leaves — sights
which before always yielded me supreme
delight — so deeply was I engrossed in
my occupation. The leaves of that year
had withered before my work drew near
to a close ; and now every day showed
me more plainly how well I had suc-
ceeded. But my enthusiasm was checked
by my anxiety, and I appeared rather
like one doomed by slavery to toil in the
mines, or any other unwholesome trade,
than an artist occupied by his favourite
employment Every night I was op-
pressed by a slow fever, and I became
nervous to a most painful degree; a
disease that I regretted the more be-
cause I had hitherto enjoyed most ex-
cellent health, and had always boasted
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96 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
of the firmness of my nerves. But I
believed that exercise and amusement
would soon drive away such symptoms ;
and I promised myself both of these
when my creation should be complete.
•• /|; .v!*; !jiMl I'll
• ^
^Hzed
/Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 97
CHAPTER IV.
It was on a dreary night of Novem-
ber, that I beheld the accomplishment
of my toils. With an anxiety that al-
most amounted to agony, I collected
tbe instruments of life around me, that
I might infuse a spark of being into
the lifeless thing that lay at my feet.
It was already one in the morning; the
rain pattered dismally against tbe panes,
and my candle was nearly burnt out,
when, by the glimmer of the half-extin-
guished light, I saw the dull yellow
eye of the creature open ; it breathed
VOL, I. F
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98 FRANKENSTEIN; OR9
hard, and a convulsive motion agitated
its limbs.
How can I describe my emotions at
this catastrophe, or how delineate the
wretch whom with such infinite pains
and care I had endeavoured to form ?
His limbs were in proportion, and 1
had selected his features as beautiful.
Beautiful ! — Great God ! His yellow skin
scarcely covered the work of muscles
and arteries beneath ; his hair was of a
lustrous black, and flowing ; his teeth
of a pearly whiteness ; but these luxu-
riances only formed a more horrid con-
trast with his watery eyes, that seemed
almost of the same colour as the dun
white sockets in which they were set,
his shrivelled complexion, and straight
black lips.
The different accidents of life are
not so changeable as the feelings of
human nature. I had worked hard for
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TH£ MODERN PROMETHEUS. 99
nearly two years, for the sole purpose of
infusing life into an inanimate body^
For this I had deprived myself of rest
and health. I had desired it with an
ardour that far exceeded moderation ;
but now that I had finished, the beauty
of the dream vanished, and breathless
horror and disgust filled my heart.
Unable to endure the aspect of the
being I had created, I rushed out of
the room, and continued a long time
traversing my bed-chamber, unable to
compose nly mind to sleep. At length
lassitude succeeded to the tumult I had
before endured ; and I threw myself on
the bed in my clothes, endeavouring to
seek a few moments of forgetfulness.
But it was in vain : I slept indeed, but
I was disturbed by the wildest dreams.
I thought I saw Elizabeth, in the bloom
of health, walking in the streets of In-
golstadt. Delighted and surprised, il
f2
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100 FEANKENSTEIN S OR,
embraced her ; but as I imprinted the
first kiss on her lips, they became livid
with the hue of death ; her features ap-
peared to change, and I thought that I
held the corpse of my dead mother ia
my arms ; a shroud enveloped her form,
and I saw the grave-worms crawling in
the folds of the flannel. I started from
my sleep with horror; a cold dew co-
vered my forehead, my teeth chattered,
and every limb became convulsed ;
when, by the dim and yellow light of
the moon, as it forced its way through
the window shutters, I beheld the wretch
— the miserable monster whom I had
created. He held up the curtain of the
bed J and his eyes, if eyes they may be
called, were fixed on me. His jaw»
opened, and he muttered some inarti-
culate sounds, while a grin wrinkled his
cheeks. He might have spoken, but I
did not hear J one hand was stretched
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 101
oat, seemingly to detain me, but I
escaped, and rushed down stairs. I took
refuge in the court-yard belonging to
the house which I inhabited ; where I
remained during the rest of the night,
walking up and down in the greatest
agitation, listening attentively, catching
and fearing each sound as if it were to
aniiounce the approach of the demoni-
acal corpse to which I had so miserably
given life.
Oh ! no mortal could support the
horror of that countenance. A mummy
again endued with animation could not
be so hideous as that wretch. I had
gazed on him while unfinished ; he was
ugly then ; but when those muscles and
joints were rendered capable of motion,
it became a thing such as even Dante
could not have conceived.
I passed the night wretchedly. Some-
time^ my pulse beat so quickly and
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102 ^ feaKkenstein ; or,
hardly, that I felt the palpitation of every
artery ; at others, I nearly sank to the
ground through languor and extreme
weakness. Mingled with this horror, I
felt the bitterness of disappointment;
dreams that had been niy food and plea-
sant rest for so long a space, were now
become a hell to me ; and the change
was so rapid, the overthrow so com-
plete !
Morning, dismal and wet, at length
dawned, and discovered to my sleepless
and aching eyes the church of Ingol-
stadt, its white steeple and clock, which
indicated the sixth hour. The porter
opened the gates of the court, which had
that night been my asylum, and I issued
into the streets, pacing them with quick
steps, as if I sought to avoid the wretch
whom I feared every turning of the
street wotild present to my view. I did
not dare return to the apartment which
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THE MODSRK FROMETUEUS. 108
I inhabited, but felt impelled to hurry
on, although wetted by the rain which
poured from a black and comfortless
sky.
I continued walking in this manner
for some time, endeavouring, by bodily
exercise, to ease the load that weighed
upon my mind. I traversed the streets,
without any clear conception of where I
was, or what I was doing. My heart
palpitated in the Sickness of fear ; and I
hurried on with irregular steps, not
blaring to look about me :
Like one who, on a lonely road^
Doth walk in fear and dread^
And^ having once turned rounds walks on^
And turns no more his head ',
Because he knows a frightful fiend
Doth close behind him tread^.
Continuing thus, I came at length
opposite to the inn at which the various
* Coleridge's ^^ Ancient Mariner."
Digitized by VjOO^IC
104f FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
diligences and carriages usually stopped.
Here I paused, I knew not why ; but I re-
mained some minutes with my eyes fixed
on a coach that was coming towards
me from the other end of the street.
As it drew nearer, I observed that it
was the Swiss diligence : it stopped just
where I was standing ; and, on the door
being opened, I perceived Henry Cler-
val, who, on seeing me, iustantly sprung
out. " My dear Frankenstein," exclaimed
he, '* how glad I am to see you ! how
fortunate that you should be here at the
very moment of my alighting !"
Nothing could equal my delight on
seeing Clerval; his presence brought
back to my thoughts my father, Eliza-
beth, and all those scenes of home so
dear to my recollection. I grasped his
hand, and in a moment forgot my hor-
ror and misfortune; I felt suddenly, and
for the first time during many months^
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 105
calm and serene joy. I welcomed my
friend, therefore, in the most cordial
manner, and we walked towards my
college. Clerval continued talking for
some time about our mutual friends,
and his own good fortune in being
permitted to come to Ingolstadt. ** You
may easily believe/* said he, *' how
great was the difficulty to persuade
my^father that it was not absolutely
necessary for a merchant not to under-
stand any thing except book-keeping;
and, indeed, I believe I left him incre-
dulous to the last, for his constant an-
swer to pay unwearied entreaties was
the same as that of the Dutch school-
master in the Vic^ar of Wakefield : * I
have ten thousand florins a year with-
out Greek, I eat heartily without
Greek.' But his affection for me at
length overcame his dislike of learning,
and he has permitted me to undertake
f5
r
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106 ^ramkekstein; or^
a voyage of discovery to the land of
knowledge/'
' * It gives me the greatest delight to
see you ; but tell me how you left my
father, brothers, and Elizabeth."
" Very well, and very happy, only a
little uneasy that they hear from you
so seldom. By the by, I mean to lecture
you a little upon their account myself. —
But, my dear Frankenstein,*' continued
he, stopping short, and gazing full in
my face, " I did not before remark how
very ill you appear ; so thin and pale ;
you look as if you had been watching
for several nights.'*
** You have guessed right ; I have
lately been so deeply engaged in one
occupation, that I have not allowed my-
self sufficient rest, as you see : but I
hope, I sincerely hope, that all these em-
ployments are now at an end, and that I
am at length free."
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. lOT
I trembled excessiyely^ I could not
endure to think of, and far less to allude
to the occurrences of the preceding
night. I walked with a quick pace>
and we soon arrived at my college, I
then reflected, and the thought made
me shiver, that the creature whom I
had left in my apartment might still
be there, alive, and walking about.
I dreaded to behold this monster;
but I feared still more that Henry
should see him. Entreating him there-
fore to remain a few minutes at the
bottom of the stairs, I darted up to-
wards my own room. My hand was
already on the lock of the door before
I recollected myself. I then paused;
and a cold shivering came over me. I
threw the door forcibly open, as chil-
dren are. accustomed to do when they
expeet a spectre to stand in waiting
for them on the other si^e ; but nothing
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108 FRANKENSTEIN; OB,
appeared. I stepped fearfully in : the
apartment was empty; and my bed-
room was also freed from its hideous
guest. I could hardly believe that so
great a good-fortune could have be-
fallen me ; but when I became assured
that my enemy had indeed fled, I clap-
ped my hands for joy, and ran down to
Clerval.
We ascended into my room, and the
servant presently brought breakfast ;
but I was unable to contain myself.
It was not joy only that possessed me ;
1 felt my flesh tingle with excess of sen-
sitiveness, and my pulse beat rapidly.
I was unable to remain for a single in-
stant in the same place; I jumped over
the chairs, clapped my hands, and
laughed aloud. Clerval at first attri-
buted my unusual spirits to joy oiv bis
arrival ; but when he observed me
more attentively, he saw a wildness in
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 109
my eyes' for which he could not account ;
and my loud, unrestrained, heartless
laughter, frightened and astonished
him.
. " My dear Victor/* cried he, ** what,
for God's sake, is the matter ? Do not
laugh in that manner* How ill you are !
What is the cause of all this ?
" Do not ask me," cried I, putting
my hands before my eyes, for 1 thought
I saw the dreaded spectre glide into
the room ; " he can tell. — Oh, save me !
save me !** I inoiagined that the monster
seized me ; I struggled furiously, and
fell down in a fit.
Poor Clerval ! what must have been
his feelings ? A meeting, which he an-
ticipated with such joy, so strangely
turned to bitterness. But 1 was not the
witness of his. grief; for 1 was lifeless,
and did not recover my senses for a longj
long time.
r
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110 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
This was the commencement of a
nervous fever, which confined me for
several months. During all that time
Henry was my only nurse. I afterwards
learned that, knowing my father's ad-
vanced age, and unfitness for so long a
journey, and how nretched my sickness
would make Elizabeth, he spared them
this grief by concealing the extent of
my disorder. He knew that I could
not have a more kind and attentive
nurse than himself; and, firm in the
hope he felt of my recovery, he did not
doubt that, instead of doing harm, he
performed the kindest action that he
could towards them.
But I was in reality very ill ; and
surely nothing but the unbounded and
unremitting attentions of my friend could
have restored me to life* The form of
the monster on whom I had bestowed
existence was for ever before my eyes^
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TH£ MODSRK PAOMETHCUS. Ill
and I raved incessantly concerning him*
Doubtless my words surprised Henry:
he at first believed them to be the wan*
derings of my disturbed imagination;
but the pertinacity with which I con-
tinually recurred to the same subject
persuaded him that my disorder indeed
owed its origin to some uncommon and
terrible event.
By very slow degrees, and with fre-
quent relapses, that alarmed and grieved
my friend, 1 recovered • I remember
the first time I became capable of ob--
serving outward objects with any kind
of pleasure, I perceived that the fallen
leayes had disappeared, and that the
young buds were shooting forth from
the trees that shaded my window. It
was a divine spring; and the season
contributed greatly to my convalesc-
ence. I felt also sentiments of joy
and afiectioQ revive in my bosom ; my
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112 FRANKENSTEIN; OR^
gloom disappeared, and in a short time
I became as cheerful as before I was
attacked by the fatal passion.
" Dearest Clerval," exclaimed I,
" how kind, how very good you are to
me. This whole winter, instead of
being spent in study, as you promised
yourself, has been consumed in my
sick room. How shall I ever repay
you ? I feel the greatest remorse for
the disappointment of which 1 have
been the occasion ; but you will for-
give me.*'
'* You will repay me entirely, if you
do not discompose yourself, but get
well as fast as you can; and since you
appear in such good spirits, I may
speak to you on one subject, may I
not ?'*
I trembled. One subject! what could
it be ? Could he allude to an object on
whom I dared not even think ?
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 118
'* Compose yourself," said Clerval,
who observed my change of colour, " I
will not mention it, if it agitates you ;
but your father and cousin would be
very happy if they received a letter from
you in your own hand-writing. They
hardly know how ill you have been, and
are uneasy at your long silence/'
**Is that all ? my dear Henry. How
could you suppose that my first thought
would not fly towards those dear, dear
friends whom I love, and who are so de-
serving of my love."
*' If this is your present temper, my
friend, you will perhaps be glad to see a
letter that has been lying here some
days for you: it is from your cousin, I
believe,"
/^
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114 FBA17KEKSTEIM ; OB,
CHAPTER V.
Clbrval then put the following letter
into my hands,
^^To V. Frankenstein.
^' MY DEAR COUSIN,
" I cannot describe to you the un-
easiness we have all felt concerning
your health. We cannot help imagining
that your friend Clerval conceals the ex-
tent of your disorder : for it is now se-
veral months since we have seen your
hand-writing ; and all this time you have
been obliged to dictate your letters to
Henry. Surely, Victor, you must have
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THB MODERN PROMETHEUS, 115
been exceedingly ill ; and this makes us
all very wretched, as much so nearly as
after the death of your dear mother. My
uncle was almost persuaded that you
were indeed dangerously ill, and could
hardly be restrained from undertaking a
journey to Ingolstadt. Clerval always
writes that you are getting better; I
eagerly hope that you will confirm this
intelligence soon in your own hand-
writing ; for indeed, indeed, Victor, we
are all very miserable on this account.
Relieve us from this fear, and we shall
be the happiest creatures in the world.
Your father's health is now so vigorous,
that he appes^rs ten years younger since
last winter. Ernest also is so much im-
proved, th^t you would hardly know
him : he is now nearly sixteen, and has
lost that sickly appearance which he had
some years ago ; he is grown quite ro«
bust and active.
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116 feankenstein; oe, -
** My uncle and I conversed a long
time last night about what.protession
Ernest should follow. His constant ill-
ness when young has deprived him of
the habits of application ; and now that
he enjoys good health, he is continually
in the open air, climbing the hills, or
rowing on the lake. 1 therefore pro-
posed that he should be a farmer;
which you know, cousin, is a favourite
scheme of mine. A farmer's, is a very
healthy happy life; and the least hurtr
ful, or rather the most beneficial pro-
fession of any. My uncle had an idea
of his being educated as an advocate*
that through his interest he might be-
come a judge. But, besides that he is
not at all fitted for such an occupation,
it is certainly more creditable to cultivate
the earth for the sustenance of man,
than to be the confidant, and sometimes
the accomplice, of his vices ; which ia
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THE MODERN FUOMETKtUS. 117
the profession of a lawyer. I said, that
tjbe employments of a prosperous farmer,
if they were not a more honourable,
they were at least a happier species
of occupation than that of a judge,
whose misfortune it was always to med-
dle with the dark side of human nature.
My uncle smiled, and said, that I ought
to be an advocate myself, which put an
end to the conversation on that sub-
ject.
"And now I must tell you a little
story that will please, and perhaps
amuse you. Do you not remember
Justine Mori tz ? Probably you do not;
I will relate her history, therefore, in a
few words. Madame Moritz, her mo-
thei-, was a widow with four children,
of whom Justine was the third. This
girl had always been the favourite of
her father ; but, through a strange per-
versity, her mother could not endure
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118 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
her, and, after the death of M. Moritz,
treated her very ill. My aunt observed
thi&i and, when Justine was twelve
years of age, prevailed on her mother
to allow her to live at her house. The
republican institutions of our country
have produced simpler and happier man-
ners than those which prevail in the
great monarchies that surround it.
Hence there is less distinction between
the several classes of its inhabitants ;
and the lower orders being neither so
poor nor so despised, their manners
are more refined and moral. A ser-
vant in Geneva does not mean the same
thing as a servant in France and Eng-
land. Justine, thus received in our fa-
mily, learned the duties of a servant; a
condition which, in our fortunate coun-
try, does not include the idea of igno-
ranee, and a sacrifice of the dignity of a
human being.
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 119
" After what I have said, I dare say
you well remember the heroine of my
little tale: for Justine was a great fa-
vourite of yours; and I. recollect you
once remarked, that if you were in an
ill humour, one glance from Justine
could dissipate it, for the same reason
that Ariosto gives concerning the beauty
of Angelica— she looked so frank-hearted
and happy. My aunt conceived a great
attachment for her, by which she was
induced to give her an education su-
perior to that which she had at first
intended. This benefit was fully re-
paid; Justine was the inost grateful
little creature in the world: I do not
mean that she made any professions, I
never, heard one pass her lips ; but you
could see by her eyes that she almost
adored her protectress. Although her
disposition was gay, and in many re-
s^pects inconsiderate, yet she paid the
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120 J-rankenstein; or,
greatest attention to every gesture of
my aunt. She thought her the model
of all excellence, and endeavoured to
imitate her phraseology and manners,
so that even now she often reminds me
of her.
" When my dearest aunt died, every
one was too much occupied in their own
grief to notice poor Justine, who had
attended her during her illness with the
most anxious aflTection. Poor Justine
was very ill; but other trials were re-
served for her.
" One by one, her brothers and sister
died ; and her mother, with the exception
of her neglected daughter, was left
childless. The conscience of the wo-
man was troubled; she began to think
that the deaths of her favourites was a
judgment from heaven to chastise her
partiality. She was^a Roman Catholic;
and I believe her confessor confirmed
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THE MODEKK PROlflETHBCS* 121
the idea which she had conceived. Ac-
cordingly, a few months after your de-
parture for Ingolstadt, Justine was
called home by her repentant mothei\
Poor girl ! she wept wfaen she quitted
our house ; she was m^uch altered since
the death of my aunt ; grief had given
softnras and a winning mildness to her
manners, which had be£Dre been re-
markable for vivacity. Nor was her
residence at her mother's house of a
nature to restore her gaiety. The poor
woman was very vacillating in her re-
pentance. Sbe sometimes begged Jus-
tine to forgive lier unkindness, but much
oftener accused her of having i caused
the deaths of her brothers and sister.
Perpetual fretting at length threw Mar
dame Moritz into a decline, which at
dirst increased her irritabiliiv, but she
is .BOW at peaae lor ever. Sbediedon
the first approach of cold weadier, at
VOL. I. G
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1S2 FRANKEKSTEIN ; OB^
the beginning of this last winter, Jus-
tine has returned to us ; and I assure
you I love her tenderly. She is very
clever and gentle, and extremely pretty ;
as I DQentioned before, her mien and her
expressions continually remind me of
my dear aunt.
" I must say also a few words to you,
my dear cousin, of little darling Wil-
liam. I wish you could see him ; he is
very tall of his age, with sweet laughing
blue eyes, dark eye-lashes, and curling
hair. When he smiles, two little dim-
ples appear on each cheek, which are
rosy with health. He has already had
one or two little wives, but Louisa Biron
is his favourite, a pretty little girl of five
years of age.
" Now, dear Victor, I dare say you
wish to be indulged in a little gossip
concerning the good people of Geneva.
The pretty Miss Mansfield has already
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 1S3
received the congratulatory visits on
her approaching marriage with a young
Englishman, John Melbourne, Esq.
Her ugly sister, Manon, married M.
Duvillard, the rich banker, last au-
tumn. Your favourite schoolfellow,
Louis Manoir, has suffered several mis-
fortunes since the departure of Clerval
from Geneva, But he has already re-
covered his spirits, and is reported to
be on the point of marrying a very
lively pretty Frenchwoman, Madame
Tavernier. She is a widow, and much
older than Manoir; but she is very
much admired, and a favourite with
every body.
"I have written myself into good
spirits, dear cousin ; yet I cannot con-
clude without again anxiously inqui-
ring concerning your health. Dear
Victor, if you are not very ill, write
yourself^ and make your father and all
o 2
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IS4
of us happy ; or — — I cannot bear to
think of the other side of the question ;
my tears already flow. Adieu, my dear-
est cousin.
" Elizabeth Lavenza.
« Geneva, March 18th, 17—."
*' Dear, dear Elizabeth !" I exclaim-
ed when I had read her letter, *' I will
Write instantly, and relieve them frdm
the anxiety they must feel.V I wrote,
and this exertion greatly fatigued me ;
but my convalescence had commenced,
and proceeded regularly. In another
fortnight I was able to leave my cham-
ber.
One of my first duties on my recovery
was to introduce Clerval to the several
professors of the university. In doing
this, I underwent a kind of rough usage,
ill befitting the wounds that my mind
&ad rastained. Ever since tlie iktaA
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THE MODKEN PROM£TH£US. 125
night, the end of my labours, and the
beginning of my misfortunes, I had con-
ceived a violent antipathy ev^n to.th^
name of natural philosophy. When I
was otherwise quite restored to health
thesightof a chemical instrument would
renew all the agony of my nervous sym*
ptoms. Henry saw this, and had remov-
ed all my apparatus from my view. He
had also changed my apartment ; . fof
he perceived that I had acquired a dis-
like for the roonpi which had previously
been my laboratory. But these cares
of Clerval were made of no avail when I
visited the professors. M. Waldman in-
flicted torture when he praised, with
kindness and warmth, the astonishing
progress I had made in the sciences.
H^ Pioon perceived that I disliked the
subject ; but not guessing the real cause,
he attributed my feelings to modesty,
anc} cliang^d the subject from my im-»
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126 FRANKENSTEIN; OE,
provement, to the science itself, with a
desire, as I evidently saw, of drawing ine
out. What could I do ? He meant to
please, and he tormented me. I felt as
if he had placed carefully, one by one, in
my view those instruments which were
to be afterwards used in putting me to
a slow and cruel death. I writhed
under his words, yet dared not exhibit
the pain I felt. Clerval, whose eyes
and feelings were always quick in dis-
cerning the sensations of others, de-
clined the subject, alleging, in excuse,
his total ignorance ; and the conver-
sation took a more general turn. I
thanked my friend from my heart, but
I did not speak. I saw plainly that he
was surprised, but he never attempted
to draw my secret from me ; and al-
though I loved him with a mixture of
affection and reverence that knew ho
bounds, yet I could never per3uade
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THE MODEEN PROMETHEUS. 1X1
myself to confide to him that event
which was so often present to my recol-
lection, but which I feared the detail
to another would only impress more
deeply.
M. Krempe was not equally docile ;
and in my condition at that time, of
almost insupportable sensitiveness^ his
harsh blunt encomiums gave me even
more pain than the benevolent appro-
bation of M. Waldman. " D — n the
fellow!" cried he; "why, M. Clerval,
I assure you he has outstript us all.
Ay, stare if you please ; but it is ne-
vertheeless true. A youngster who, but
a few years ago, believed Cornelius
Agrippa, as firmly as the gospel, has
now set himself at the head of the uni-
versity ; and if he is not soon pulled
down, we shall all be out of counte-
nance—Ay, ay,'* continued he, ob-
serving my face expressive of suffering,
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128 FRANKENSTEIN ; OS,
" M. Frankenstein is modest ; an ex^cel*
lent quality in a young n>an. Young
men should be diffident of themselves;
you know, M, Clerval ; I was myself
when young : but that wears out in a
very short time/*
M. Krempe had now commenced an
eulogy on himself, which happily turned
the conversation from a subject that wad
so annoying to me.
Clerval was no natural philosopher.
His imagination wbs too vivid for the
minutise of science. Languages were his
principal study ; and he sought, by ac-
quiring their elements, to open a field for
self-instruction on his return to Geneva.
Persian, Arabic, and Hebrew, gained
his attention, after he had made himself
perfectly master of Greek and Latin. For
my own part, idleness had ever been
irksome to me ; and now that I wished
to fly from reflection, and hated my for*
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THE HODl^N PROIIETHEUS. 129
mer studies, I felt great relief in being
the fellow-pupil with my friend, and
found not only instruction but consola-
tion in the works of the orientalists.
Their melancholy is soothing, and their
joy elevating to a degree I never expe-
rienced in studying the authors of any
other country. When you read their
writings, life appears to consist in a
warm sun and garden of roses, — in the
smiles and frowns of a fair enemy, and
the fire that consumes your own heart.
How difierent from the manly and he*
roical poetry of Greece and Rome.
Summer passed away in these oc-
cupations, and my return to Geneva
was fixed for the latter end of autumn ;
but being delayed by several accidents,
winter and snow arrived, the roads were
deemed impassable, and my journey
was retarded until the ensuing spring.
I felt this delay very bitterly; for I
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180 FRANKENSTEIN ; OK,
longed to see my native town, and my.
beloved friends. My return had only
been delayed so long from an unwil-
lingness to leave Clerval in a strange
place, before he had become acquainted
with any of its inhabitants. The win-
ter, however, Wjas spent cheerfully ; and
although the spring was uncommonly
late, when it came its beauty compen-
sated for its dilatoriness.
The month of May had already com-
menced, and I expected the letter daily
which was to fix the date of my depart
ture, when Henry proposed a pedestrian
tour in the environs of Ingolstadt, that
I might bid a personal farewell to the
country I had so long inhabited. I ac-
ceded with pleasure to this proposition r
I was fond of exercise, and Clerval had
always been my favourite companion in
the rambles of this nature that I had
taken among the scenes of my native
country.
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 131
W^ passed a fortnight in these per-
ambulations : my health and spirits had
long been restored, and they gained ad-
ditional strength from the salubrious
air I breathed, the natural incidents of
our progress, and the conversation of
my firiend. Study had before secluded
me from the intercourse of my fellow-
creatures, and rendered me unsocial ;
but Clerval called forth the better feel*
ingsof my heah; he again taught me
to love the aspect of nature, and the
cheerful faces of children. Excellent
friend ! how sincerely did you love me,
and endeavour to elevate my mind^
until it was on a level with your own.
A selfish pursuit had cramped and nar-
rowed me, until your gentleness and
afiection warmed and opened my senses ;
I became the same happy creature who^
a few years ago, loving and beloved by
all, had no sorrow or care* When hap-
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py, inanimate nature had the power
of bestowing on me the most delig^ht*
ful sensations. A serene sky and ver-
dant fields filled me with ecstasy. The
present season was indeed divine; the
flowers of spring bloomed in the hedged,
while those of summer were already in
bud : I was undisturbed by thoughts
which during the preceding year had
pressed upon me, notwithstanding my
endeavours to throw them off, with an
invincible burden.
Henry rejoiced in my gaiety, and
sincerely sympathized in my feelings:
he exerted himself to amuse me, while
he expressed the sensations that filled
his soul. The resources of his mind
on this occasion were truly astonish*
ing: his conversation was full of ima-
gination ; and very often, in imitation
of the Persian and Arabic writers, he
invented tales of wonderful fancy and
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THE MODERN PRQMETH8US. 133
passion. At other times he repeated
my favourite poems, or drew me out
into arguments, which he supported
with great ingenuity.
We returned to our college on a
Sunday afternoon: the peasants were
dancing, and every one we met ap-
peared gay and happy. My own spi-
rits were high, and I bounded along
with feelings of unbridled joy and
hilarity.
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184» ' FBANKENSTEIN ; OR,
CHAPTER VL
On my return, I found the following
letter from my father : —
^\ToV. Frankenstein^
" MY DEAR VICTOR,
** You have probably waited impa-
tiently for a letter to fix the date of
your return to us ; and I was at first
tempted to write only a few lines, mere-
ly mentioning the day on which I should
expect you. But that would be a cruel
kindness, and I dare not do it. What
would be your surprise, my son, when
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THE VODERN PBOMETRKTS. ISS
you expected a happy and gay welcome,
to behold, on the contrary, tears and
wretchedness ? And how, Victor, can I
relate our misfortune? Absence can-
not have rendered you callous to our
joys and griefs ; and how shall I inflict
pain on an absent child ? I wish to pre-
pare you for the woful news, but I
know it is impossible ; even now your
eye skims over the page, to seek the
words which are to convey to you the
horrible tidings.
** William is dead } — that sweet child,
whose smiles delighted and warmed
my heart, who was ^o gentle^ yet so
gay ! Victor, he is murdered !
" I will not attempt to console you ;
but will simply relate the circum-
stances of the transaction.
" Last Thursday (May 7th) I, my
niece, and your two brothers, went to
walk in Plainpalais. The evening was
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186 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
warm and serene, and we prolonged;
our walk farther than usual. It was
already dusk before we thought of re-
turning; and then we discovered that
William and Ernest, who had gone on
before, were not to be found. We ac-
cordingly rested o n a seat until they
should return. Presently Ernest came,
and inquired if we had seen his bro-
ther ; h^ said, that they had been play-
ing together, that William had run away
to hide himself, and that he vainly,
sought for him, and afterwards waited
for him a long time, but that he did
not return.
" This account rather alarmed us,
and we continued to search for him
until night fell, when Elizabeth conjec-
tured that he might have returned to
the house. He was not there. We re-
turned again, with torches; for I could
Bot rest, when I thought that my sweet
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 137
boy bad lost bimself, and was exposed
to all tbe damps and dews of ni^t;
Elizabetb also auflfered extreme anguish.
About five in the morning I discovered
my lovely boy, Mhom the night before
I bad seen blooming and active in
health, stretched on the grass livid and
motionless : the print of the murderer'a
finger was on his neck.
" He was conveyed home, and the
anguish that was visible in my counte«
nance betrayed the secret to Elizabetb.
She was very earnest to see the corpse.
At first I attempted to prevent her ; but
she persisted, and entering the room
where it lay^ hastily examined the neck
of the victim, and clasping her hands^
exclaimed, * O God ! I have murdered
my darling infant !*
'* She fainted, and was restored with
extreme diflSculty. When she again
lived, it was only to weep and siglu
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1^ FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
She told me, that that same evenings
William had teazed her to let him wear
a very valuable miniature that she pos-
sessed of your mother. This picture is
gone, and was doubtless the temptation
which urged the murderer to the deed*
We have no trace of him at present,
although our exertions to discover him
are unremitted ; but they will not re*
store my beloved William.
" Come, dearest Victor ; you alone
can console Elizabeth. She weeps con-
tinually, and accuses herself unjustly as
the cause of his death ; her words pierce
my heaii;. We are all unhappy; but
will not that be an additional motive
Jot you, my son, to return and be our
comforter ? Your dear mother ! Alas,
Victor ! I now say. Thank God she did
not live to witness the cruel, miserable
death of her youngest darling !
''Come,Victor; not brooding thoughts
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 139
\
of vengeance against the assassin, but
with feelings of peace and gentleness,
that will heal, instead of festering, the
wounds of our minds. Enter the house
of mourning, my friend, but with kind-
ness and affection for those who love
you, and not with hatred for your ene-
mies.
" Your affectionate atid afflicted father,
Alphonse Frankenstein.
'' Geneva, May 12th, 17—."
Clerval, who had watched my coun-
tenance as I read this letter, was sur-
prised to observe the despair that suc-
ceeded to the joy I at first expressed
on receiving news from my friends, I
threw the letter on the table, and co-
vered my face with my hands.
" My dear Frankenstein," exclaimed
Henry, when he perceived me weep
with bitterness, " are you always to be
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140 FRANKENSTEIN; OB,
unhappy ? My dear friend, what has
happened ?'^
I motioned to him to take up the
letter, while I walked up and down the
room in the extremest agitation. Tears
also gushed from the eyes of Clerval,
as he read the account of my misfor-
tune.
"I can offer you no consolation^ my
friend/* said he ; '* your disaster is ir-
reparable. What do you intend to
do?"
"To go instantly to Geneva: come
with me, Henry, to order the horses,*'
During our walk, Clerval endea-^
voured to raise my spirits. He did not
do this by common topics of consola-
tion, but by exhibiting the truest sym-
pathy. '' Poor William !*' said he, "that
dear child ; he now sleeps with his an-
gel mother. His friends mourn ^nd
weep, bdt he is at rest: he does not
A
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 141
now feel the murderer's grasp; a sod
covers bis gentle form, and he knows
no pain. He can no longer be a fit
subject for pity ; the survivors are the
greatest sufierers, and for them time is
the only consolation. Those maxims
of the Stoics, that death was no evil,
and that the mind of man ought to be
superior to despair on the eternal ab*-
sence of a beloved object, ought not to
be urged. Even Cato Mept over the
dead body of bis brother."
Clerval spoke thus as we hurried
through the streets ; the words im-
pressed themselves on my mind, and I
remembered them afterwards in soli-
tude. But now, as soon as the horses
arrived, I hurried into a cabriole, and
bade farewell to my friend.
My journey was very melancholy.
At firat I wished to hurry on, for I
longed to console and sympathize with
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1 1^ PHANKENSTEIN ; Oil,
my loved and sorrowing friends; but
,, when I drew near my native town, 1
slackened my progress, I could hardly
sustain the multitude of feelings that
crowded into my mind. I passed through
scenes familiar to my youth, but which
I had not seen for nearly six years.
How altered every thing might be during
that time ! One sudden and desolating
change had taken place ; but a thousand
little circumstances might have by de-
grees worked other alterations, which,
although they were_ done more tran-
quilly, might not be the less decisive.
Fear overcame me ; I dared not advance,
dreading a thousand nameless evils that
made me tremble, although I was un-
able to define them.
I remained two days at Lausanne, in
this painful state of mind. I contem-
plated the lake : the waters were placid ;
all around was calm, and the snowy
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THE MaDERN PROMETHEUS. 14S
mountains, *'the palaces of nature," were
not changed. By degrees the calm an(3
heavenly scene restored me, and I con-?
tinued my journey towards Geneva.
The road ran by the side of the lake,
which became narrower as I approached
my native town. I discovered more di-
stinctly the black sides of Jura, and the
bright summit of Mont Blanc ; I wept
like a child : " Dear mountains ! my own
beautiful lake! how do you welcome your
wanderer? Your summits are clear; the
sky and lake are blue and placid. Is
this to prognosticate peace, or to mock
at my unhappiness V
I fear, my friend, that I shall render
myself tedious by dwelling on these pre-
liminary circumstances; but they were
days of comparative happiness, and I
think of them with pleasure. My coiin*
try, my beloved country ! who but a na-
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144 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
tire can tell the ^leliglit I took in agaiB
beholding thy streams, thy mountains,
and, more than all, thy lovely lake.
Yet, as I drew nearer home, grief
and fear again overcame me. Night
also closed around; and when I could
hardly see the dark nKMintaiBS, I felt
still more gloomily. The pictu^re ap-
peared a vast and dim scene of evil, and
I foresaw obscurely that I was destined
to become the most wretched of human
beings. Alas! I {M*ophesied truly, and
failed only in one single circumstance^
that in all the misery I imagined and
dreaded, I did not conceive the hun-
dredth part of the anguish I was destined
to endure.
It was completely dark when I ar-
rived in the environs of Geneva ; the
gates of the town were already sbutj
and I was obliged to pass the night at
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 145
Secheron, a village half a league to the
east of the city. The sky was serene ;
and, as I was unable to rest, I resolved
to visit the spot where my poor William
bad been murdered. As I could not
pass through the town, I was obliged
to cross the lake in a boat to arrive at
Plainpalais. During this short voyag^e
I saw the lightnings playing on the
summit of Mont Blanc in the mos^
beautiful figures. The storm appeared
to approach rapidly ; and, on landing,
I ascended a low hill, that I might ob-
serve its progress. It advanced; the
heavens were clouded, and I soon felt
the rain coming slowly in large drops,
but its viotence quickly increased.
I quitted my seat, and walked on,
although the darkness and storm in«
creased every minute, and the thunder
l[)urst with a terrific crash over my head.
It was echoed from Sal^ve, the Juras,
VOL. !• H
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146 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
and the Alps of Savoy; vivid flashes of
lightning dazzled my eyes, illuminating
the lake, making it appear like a vast
sheet of fire; then for an instant every
thing seemed of a pitchy darkness, until
the eye recovered itself from the pi*e*
ceding flash. The storm, as is often
the case in Switzerland, appeared at
once in various parts of the heavens.
The most violent storm hung exactly
north of the town, over that part of the
lake which lies between the promontory
of Belrive and the village of Copfit
Another storm enlightened Jura with
faint flashes ; and another darkened and
sometimes disclosed the Mdle, a peaked
mountain to the east of the leA^e.
While 1 watched the storm, so beau-
tiful yet terrific, I wandered on with a
hasty step. This noble war in the sky
elevated my spirits ; I clasped my hands,
and exclaimed aloud, ^^ William, dear
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THE MODXRK PROMETHEUS. 14Y
ao^el! this is thy funeral, tbis thy
dirge!" As I said these words, I per*-
ceived in the gloom a figure which
stole ftom behind a clump of trees neat
vHe; J stood fixed, gazing intently: I^
ealild not be mistaken. A flash of light-
ning illuminated the object, and dis-
covered its shape plainly to me ; its gi-
gantic stature, and the deformity of its
aspect^ more hideous than belongs to
humanity, instantly informed me that it
was the wretch, the filthy deemon to
whom I had given life. What did he
there ? Could he be (I shuddered at the
conception) the murderer of my brother?
No sooner did that idea cross my ima-
gination, than I became convinced of its
titith; my teeth chattered, and I was
forced to lean against a tree for support.
The figni^ passed me quickly, and I lost
it in^ the gloom. Nothji^ in human
h2
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J48 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
isbape could have destroyed that fair
child. He was the murderer ! I could
not doubt it. The mere presence of
the idea was an irresistible proof of the
fact, I thought of pursuing the devil ;
l>ut it would have been in vain, for
another flash discovered him to me
hanging among the rocks of the nearly
perpendicular ascent of Mont SaMve,
a hill that bounds Plainpalais on the
south. He soon reached the summit,
and disappeared. ""
I remained motionless. The thnnder
ceased 5 but the rain still continued^ and
the scene was enveloped in an impene-
trable darkness. I revolved in my mind
the events which I had until now sought
to forget : the whole train of my progress
towards the creation ; the appearance of
tne work of my own hands alive at my
bedside; its departure. Two years had
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. l49
now nearly elapsed since the night on
which he first received life; and was
this his first crime ? Alas ! I had turned
loose into the world a depraved wretch^
whose delight was in carnage and mi*
sery ; had he not murdered my brother >
Na one can conceive the anguish I
sufifered during the remainder of the
night, which I spent, cold and wet, in
the open ain But I did not feel the
inconvenience of the weather; my ima*
gination was busy in scenes of evil and
despair. I considered the being whom
I had cast among mankind, and en-
dowed with the will and power to effect
purposes of horror, such as the deed
which he had now done, nearly in the
Hght of my own vampire, my own spirit
let loose from the grave, and forced ta
destroy all that was dear to me.
Day dawned; and I directed my steps^
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tpiraird« the town, Tbe g^tes were open,
axid I hastened to my fetber's! house;
My first thought was to. diseoyeF wJiat
I knew of the murdierer, and cau^ in-
stant pursuit to be made* But I [muaed
when I reflected on the story that X bad
to telL A being whom I myself had
formed, and endued with life, had met
me at midnight among the precipices
of an inaccessible mountain^^ I remem-
bered also the nerrous fever witkii^uch
I had been seized just at the time that
I dated my creation, and which iRonid
gire an air of delirium to a tale other?
wise so utterly improbable. I well kneii^
that if any other had communicated
such a relation to me,. I should hare
looked upon it as the i^airings of ix^
sanity. Besides, the strange nature ^of
the animal would elude all pursuit^ eTen
if I were so far credited as to persuade
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THE MODERN PEOMETHEUS. IS\
my relatives to commence it. Besides^
of what use would be pursuit ? Who
could arrest a creature capable of scaling
the overhanging sides of Mount Sal6ve ?
These reflections determined me, and I
resolved to remain silent*
It was about five in the morning when
I entered my father's house. 1 told the
servants not to disturb the family^ and
went into the library to attend their
usual hour of rising.
Six years had elapsed, passed as a
dreanl but for one indelible trace, and
I stood in the same place where I bad
last embraced my father before my de-
parture for Ingolstadt. Beloved and
respectable parent! He still remained
to me. I gazed on the picture of my
mother, which stood over the mantel-
•piece. It was an historical subject,
painted at my father's desire, and re-
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152 feankenstein; or,
presented Caroline Beaufort in an agony
of despair, kneeling by the coffin of hei^
dead father. Her garb was rustic, and
her cheek pale; but there was an air
of dignity and beauty, that hardly per-
mitted the sentiment of pity. Below
this picture was a miniature of William ;
and my tears flowed when I looked upori
it. While I was thus engaged, Ernest
entered: lie had. heard me arrive, and
hastened to welcome me. He expressed
a sorrowful delight to see me: '* Wel-
come, my dearest Victor,'* said he. ^'"Ah!
I wish you had come three months ago,
and then you would have found us all
joyous and delighted. But we are now
unhappy ; and, I am afraid, tears instead
of smiles will be yotir welcome. Our
father looks so sorrowful : this dreadful
event seems to have revived in his mind
his grief on the death of mamma. Poot
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 153
l^izabetb, also, is quite inconsolable/'
Ernest began to weep as he said tbese
wards.
** Do not/' said I, "welcome me thus ;
try to be more calm, that I may not be
absolutely miserable the moment I enter
my father's house after so long an ab-
sence. But, tell me, how^loes my father
support his misfortunes ? and how is my
poor Elizabeth ?"
" She indeed requires consolation ;
she accused herself of having caused
.the death of my brother, and that made
her very wretched. But since the mur-
derer has been discovered "
*^ The murderer discovered! Good
God! how can that be? who could at*
tempt to pursue him ? It is impossible ;
one might as well try to overtake the
winds, or confine a mountain-stream
with a straw."
*^* 1 do not know what 3/ou mean ; but
h5
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lS4t FSANuaraTEisr ; ok,
we were all very unhappy when, she wa9
discovered. No one would believe it at
first ; and even now Elizabeth will not
be convinced, notwithstanding all the
evidence. Indeed, who would ci^edittfatftt
Justine Moritz, who was so amiable, aod
fond of all the family, could all at onee
become so extremely wicked V
'' Justine Moritz ! Poor, poor girl, is
she the accused ? But it is wrongfiyiy ;
every one knows that ; no one believes
it, surely, Ernest ?**
" No one did at first ; but several cir-
cumstances came out, that have almost
forced conviction upon us; and her own
behaviour has been so confused, as to
add to the evidence of facts a weight
that, I fear, leaves no hope for dolibt*
But she will be tried to-^day, and you
will then hear all.'*
He related that, the morning on which
the murder of poor William had been
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THE HODERN PBOMETHEUS; 156
discovered^ Justine had been taken i\\,
and confined to her bed ; and, after se-
veral days, one of the servants, hap-
pening to examine the apparel she had
worn on the night of the murder, had
discovered in her pocket the picture of
my mother, which had been judged to
be the temptation of the murderer. The
servant instantly showed it to one of the
others, who, without saying a word to
any of the family, went to a magistrate ;
and, upon their deposition, Justine was
apprehended. On being charged with
ibe fact, the poor girl confirmed the
suspicion in a great measure by her ex-
treme confusion of manner.
This was a strange tale, but it did not
shake my faith ; and I relied earnestly,
^^ You are all mistaken ; I know the mur^
derer» Justine, poor, good Justine^ »
innocent'''
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At that instant my father entered, I
saw unhappiness deeply impressed on
his countenance, but he endeavoured to
welcome me cheerfully; and^ after we
had exchanged our mournful greeting,
would have introduced some other topic
than that of our disaster, had not Ernest
exclaimed, "Good God, papa! Victof
says that he knows w1k> was the mur-
derer of poor William."
" We do also, unfortunately,'' replied
my father 5 " for indeed I had rather
have been for ever ignorant than have
discovered so much depravity and in-
gratitude in one I valued so highly/*
" My dear father, you are mistaken ;
Justine is innocent."
" If she is, God forbid that she should
suffer as guilty. She is to be tried to-
day, and I hope, I sincerely hope^ thkt
she will be acquitted."
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THE MODBRN FROMETHEUS. ISt
TIlis speech calmed me. I was firmly
t^avinced in my own mind that Justine,
and indeed every human being, was
gniltless of this murder. I bad no fear,
therefore, that any circumstantial evi-
dence could be brought forward strong/
enough to convict her ; and, in this as-
surance, I calmed myself, expectiiig the
trial with eagerness, but without prog-
nosticating an evil result.
We were soon joined by Elizabeth.
Time had made great alterations in hef
form since I had last beheld her. Six
years before she had been a pretty,
good-humoured girl, whom every one
loved and caressed. She was now a
woman in stature and expression of
countenance, which was uncommonly
lovely. An open and capacious fore-
head gave indications of a good under-
standing, joined to great frankness of
disposition. Her eyfes were hazel, and
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18S FEAinCBKSTEIN ; OR^
expressive of mildness, now, through
recent affliction, allied to sadness. Her
bair was of a rich dark auburn, her
OMnplexion lair, and her figure slight
and graceful. She welcomed me with
the greatest affection » " Your arrival
my dear cousin,'^ said she, '^ fills me
with hope. You perhaps Mill'find some
means to justify my poor guiltless Justine*
Alas! M'ho is safe, if she be convicted of
c^ime > I rely on her innocence as cer-
tainly as I do upon my own. Our mis-
fortune is doubly hard to us ; we have
not only lost that lovely darling boy, but
this poor girl, whom I sincerely love, is
to be torn away by even a worse fate. If
she is condemned, I never shall know
joy more. But she will not, I am sure
she will not ; and then I shall be happy
again, even after the sad death of my
Httle William.*^
** She is innocent, my Elizabeth,'' said
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THE JCOD^EM FR0MfiTI»l7». W9^
I, *• and that shall be proved ; fear no-
thing, but let your spirits be cheered by
tiie assurance of her acquittal/'
** How kind you are! every one else
believes in her guilt, and that made me
wretched, for I knew that it was im-
possible : and to see every one else pre-
judiced in so deadly a manner rendered
me hopeless and despairing/' She wept.
" Sweet nlece,^* said my father, "dry
your tears. If she is, as you believe^
innocent, rely on the justice of our judges^
and the activity with which I shall pi^
vent the slightest shadow of partiality/'
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160 FRANKENSTEIN ; OB,
CHAPTER VIL
We passed a few sad hours, until
eleven o*clock, when the trial was to
commence. My fathcF and the rest of
the family being obliged to attend as
witnessed, I accompanied them to the
court. During the whole of this wretched
mockery of justice I suffered living tor-
ture. It was to be decided, whether the
result of my curiosity and lawless de-
vices would cause the death of two of
my fellow-beings : one a smiling babe,
full of innocence and joy; the other far
more dreadfully murdered, with every
aggravation of infamy that could make
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 161
the murdermemorable in horror. Justine
also was a girl of merit, and possessed
qualities which promised to render her
life happy: now all was to be oblite^
rated in an ignominious grave; and I
the cause ! A thousand times rather
would I have confessed myself guilty of
the crime ascribed to Justine ; but I was
absent when it was committed, and such
a declaration would have been considered
as the ravings of a madman, and would
not have exculpated her who suffered
through me.
The appearatice of Justine was calm^
She was dressed in mourning; and
her countenance, always engaging, was
rendered, by the solemnity of her feel-
ings, exquisitely beautiful. Yet she
appeared confident in innocence, and
did hot tremble, although gazed oA
and execrated by thousands ; for all the
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FaANK£K8T£IN ; OR,
kindness which her beauty might otherr
wise have excited, waa obliter^tied iQ
the minds of the spectators by tb«
impginatioa of the enormity she wtas
supposed to have committed. She was
tranquil^ yet her tranquillity waa evi-
dently constrained; apd as her coib-
fupjon had before been adduced as a
proof of her guilt, she worked up her
mind to an appearance of courage.
When she entered the courts she threw
tier eyes round it,^ and qqickly disr
covered where we were seated. A tear
seemed to dim her eye when she saw
m^^ but she quickly recovered bersdU;
and a look of sorrowful affection seemed
to attest her utter guiltlessness.
Tl^ trial began ; and, after th^ advor
cate against her had stated the charge^
several witnesses were called. Several
strange facts combined against ber»
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THE .ilDQBRN PROMETHEUS. 163
^hich flaigfat have staggered any one
who had not sucb proof of her inno«
e^nce a» I had. She had been out the
If bole of the night on which the murder
had been oommitted, and towards morn-^
ing had been perceived by a market-
waman not far from, the spot where the
body of the murdered child had been
^terwards found. The woman asked
her what she did there ; but she looked
very strangdy, and only returned a con-
fiiaed and unintelligible answer. She re^
turned to the house about eight o'clock ;
and, when one inquired where she had
passed the night, she replied that she
had beett looking for the child, and
demanded earnestly if any thing had
been beard concerning him. When
^wn the body, she fell into violet
l^^steries, and kept her bed for several
4m^ The pieture was then produced^
which the servant had found in her
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l&i FRANKENSTEIN; OB^
pocket; and when Elizabeth, in a faV
tering voice, proved that it was the
same which, an hour before the child
had been missed, she had placed round
his neck, a murmur of horror and in-»
dignation filled the court.
Justine Was called on for her defence/
As the trial had proc^ded, her coun-
tenance bad altered. Surprise, horror^
and misery were strongly expressed.
Sometimes she struggled with her tean^^
but, when she was desired to pleads ishe
collected her powers, and spoke in Imr
audible, although variable, voice:—
" God knows,'' she said, " how en-
tirely I am innocent But I do not
pretend that my protestations should
acquit me : I rest my innocence on a
plain and simple explanation of the
facts which have been adduced against
me; and I hope the character I have
always borne will incline my judges
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. ' 165
to a favourfible interpretation, where
^ny circumstance appears doubtful or
suspicious/'
She then related that, by the per-
mission of Elizabeth, she had passed
the evening of the night on which the
murder had been committed at the house
of an aunt at ChSne, a Tillage situated
at about a league from Geneva. On
her return, at about nine o'clock, She
tnet a man, who asked her if she had
seen any thing of the child who was
lost. She was alarmed by this account,
and passed several hours in looking for
him, when the gates of Geneva were
i^ut, and she was forced to remain
several hours of the night in a barn
belpngiog to a cottage, being unwilling
to call up the inhabitants, to whom she
was well known. Unable to rest or
sleep, she quitted her asylum early, that-
she might, again endeavour to find my
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166 feankeksteik; ob,
brother. If she had gone near the spot
ivhere his body lay^ it was without her
knowledge. That she had been bewil-
dered when questioned by the market-
wonmn was not surprising, since she
had passed a sleepless night, and the
^te of poor William was yet uncertain «
Concerning tlie picture she could give
no account.
" I know," continued the unhappy
Tictim, " how heavily and fatally this
one circumstance weighs against me,
but I have no power of explaining it ;
and when I have expressed my utter
ignorance, I am only left to conjecture
concerning the probabilities by which it
might have been placed in my pocket.
But here also I am checked. I believe
that I have no enemy on earthy and
none surely would have been so wicked
as to destroy me wantonly. Did the
murderer place it there ? I know of
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 167
no opportunity afforded him for so
doing; or, if I had, why should hcf
hare stolen the jewel, to part with it
again so soon ?
^* I commit my cause to the justice of
Jwy judges, yet I see no room for hope.
I beg permission to have a few witnesses
examined concerning my character; and
if their testimony shall not overweigh my
supposed guilt, I must be condemned,
although I would pledge my salvation
on my innocence/*
Several witnesses were called, who
bad known her for many years, and
they spoke well of her; but fear, and
hatred of the crime of which they sup^
posed her guilty, rendered them timer*
ous, and unwilling to come forward.
Elizabeth saw even this last resounce,
* her excellent dispositions and ifre-
|m>acbable conduct, about to fail the
accused, when> although violently agi--
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168 FRANKENSTEIN; OE,
tated, she desired permission to address
the court.
" I am/' said she, " the cousin of the
unhappy child who was murdered, or
rather his sister, for I was educated by,
and hare lived with his parents ever
since and even long before his birth.
It may therefore be judged indecent in
me to come forward on this occasion;
but when I see a fellow-creature about
to perish through the cowardice of her
pretended friends, I wish to be allowed
to speak, that I may say what I know of
her character. I am well acquainted
with the accused. I have lived in the
same house with her, at one time for
five, and at another for nearly two years.
Puring all that period she appeared to
me the most amiable and benevoTent of
l^uman creatures. She nursed Madame
Frankenstein, my aunt, in her last illness,
with the greatest affection and care; and
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THE MODSEV PROMETJeiEUS. ljS9
afterwards attended^ her own molfaer
during a tedious illness, in a mann^
that excited the admiration of all who
knew her. After which she again lived
in my uncle's house, where she was
beloved by all the family. She was
warmly attached to the child who is
now dead, and acted towards him lik^
a most aflEectionate mother. For my own
part, I do not hesitate to say, that, not^
withstanding all the evidence produced
against her, I believe and rely on her
perfect innocence. She had no temp^
tation for such an action : as to the bau.-
ble on which the chief proof rests, if she
had earnestly desired it, I should have
willingly given it to her ; so much do
I esteem and value her.''
Excellent El^bet h! A murmur of ap-
probation was heard ; but it was excited
by her generous interference, and not
m favour of poor Justine, on whom the
VOL. I. I
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170 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
public indignation was turned with re-
newed violence, charging her with the
blackest ingratitude. She herself wept
as Elizabeth spoke, but she did not an-
swer. My own agitation and anguish
was extreme during the whole trial. I
believed in her innocence ; I knew it.
Could the daemon, who had (I did not
for a minute doubt) murdered my bro-
ther, also in his hellish sport have be-
trayed the innocent to death and igno-
miny.' I could not sustain the horror
of my situation ; and when I perceived
that the popular voice, and the counte-
nances of the judges, had already con-
demned my unhappy victim, I rushed
out of the court in agony. The tortures
of the accused did not equal mine ; she
was sustained by innocence, but the fangs
of remorse tore niy bosom, and would
not forego their hold.
I passed a night of unmingled wretch-
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 171
edriess. In. the morning I went to the
court ; my iips and throat were parched.
1 dared not ask the fatal question ; but
I was known, and the officer guessed
the cause of my visit. The ballots had
been thrown ; they were all black, artd
Justine was condemned.
I cannot pretend to describe ^hat I
then felt. I had before experienced
sensations of horror ; and I have endea-
voured to bestow upon them adequate
expressions, but words cannot convey
an idea of the heart-sickening despair
that I then endured. The person to
whom I addressed myself added, that
Justine had already confessed her guilt.
" That evidence,*' he observed, '* was
hardly required in so glaring a case,
but I am glad of it; and, indeed, none
of our judges like to condemn a crimi-
nal upon circumstantial evidence, be it
ever so decisive.'*
i2
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T72 FRAHKSKSTEIN ; OR,
When I returned home, Elizabeth
eagerly demanded the result.
" My couai/' replied I, " it is dcf-
cided as you may have expected ; all
judges had rather that ten innocent
should suffer, than that one guilty should
escape* But she has confessed/'
This was a dire blow to poor Eliza-
beth, who had relied with firmness upoti
Justine's innocence. **Alas!'* said
she, " how shall I ever again believe in
human benevolence? Justine, whom I
loved and esteemed as my sister, bow
could she put on those smiles of itmo-
cence only to betray ; her mild eyes
seemed incapable of any severity or ill
humour, and yet she has committed a
murder/*
Soon after we heard that the poor
victim had expressed a wish to see my
cousin* My father wished her not to
go ; but said, that he left it to her own
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THE MODIBV PROMBTHBUS. 17S
judgment and feelings to decide.
" Yes,*" said Elizabeth, " I will go,
although she is guilty ; ^nd you, Victor,
shallaceompany me : I cannot go alone.''
The idea of this visit was torture to me,
yet I could not refuse.
We catered the gloomy prison*£ham«
ber, and beheld Justine sitting on some
straw at the further end; her hands
were manacled, and her head rested on
her knees. She rose on seeing us en-^
ter; and when we were left alone with
her, she threw herself at the feet of
Elizabeth, weeping bitterly. My cousin
wept also.
" Oh, Justine !'* said she, why did
you robme of njy last consolatioii. I
relied on your innocence \ and althqugh
I was then very wretched, I wi^s npt so
miserable as I am now.'*
^^ And do you also believe that I am
80 very, very wicked ? Do you also
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174 PRANK liNSTEIN ; OR,
join with my enemies to crush me ?*'
Her voice was suffocated with sobs.
** Rise, my poor girl/' said Eliza-
beth, ** why do you kneel, if you are
innocent ? I am not one of your ene-
mies ; I believed you guiltless, notwith-
standing every evidence, until I heard
that you had yourself declared your
guilt. That report, you say, is false ;
and be assured, dear Justine, that no-
thing can shake my confidence in you
for a moment, but your own confes-
sion/'
*' I did confess ; but I confessed a
lie. I confessed, that I might obtain
absolution ; but now that falsehood lies
heavier at my heart than all my other
sins. The God of heaven forgive me !
Ever since I was condemned, my con-
fessor has besieged me; he threatened
and menaced, until I almost began to
think that I was the monster that he
y Google
THE MODEBN PEOMETHEUS. 175
said I was. He threatened excommu-
nication and hell fire in my last mo-
ments, if I continued obdurate. Dear
lady, I had none to support me ; all
looked on me as a wretch doomed to
ignominy and perdition. What could I
do ? In an evil hour I subscribed to
a lie ; and now only am I truly mise-
rable.*'
She paused, weeping, and then con-
tinued — " I thought with horror, my
sweet lady, that you should believe
your Justine, whom your blessed aunt
had so highly honoured, and whom
you loved, was a creature capable of a
crime which none but the devil himself
could have pei-petrated. Dear Wil-
liam ! dearest bleissed child ! I soon
shall see you again in heaven, where
we shall all be happy; and that con-
soles me, going as I am to suffer ig-
nominy and death.'*
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1Y6 FBANKENSTEIN ; OR^
" Ob, Justine ! forgive me for having
for one moment distrusted you. Why
did you confess? But do not mourn,
my dear girl ; I will every where pro-
claim your innocence, and force belief.
Yet you must die ; you, my playfellow,
my companion, my more than sister,
I never can survive so horrible a mis-
fortune/'
*' Dear^ sweet Elizabeth, do not weep.
You ought to raise me with thoughts of
a better life, and elevate me from the
petty cares of this world of injustice and
strife. Do not you, excellent friend,
drive me to despair/'
" I will try to comfort you ; but this,
I fear, is an evil too deep and poignant
to admit of consolation, for there is no
hope. Yet heaven bless thee, my dear-
est Justine, with resignation, and a con-
fidence elevated beyond this world.
Oh ! how I hate its shows and mock^^
y Google
TH^ -IfOp);^^ PHO^METHEUS. ITf
erifs! wb^o c^i^ creature is murdered,
^mptber is taimediately deprived of life
ta 9> slow texturing manner; then the
executiopers, their hands yet reeking
Sritb the blood of innocence, believe that
^y have done a great deed. They
f^l thjifs retrihuthn. Hateful n^me!
When that word is pronounced, I know
greater .au4 more horrid punishments
^re going to be inflicted than the gloom-
ieait tyrant b^s ever invented to satiate
his uUnpst revenge. Yet this is not con-
solation for you, my Justine, unless in-
4eie^ that you may glory ip escaping from
SQ miserable a den« Alas ! I would I
were iu peace with my aunt and my
lovely William, escaped froip a world
which is hateful to me, and the visages
of men which I abhor."
Justine smiled languidly. ''This,
dear lady, is despair, and not resigna-
i5
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178 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
tion. I must not learn the lesson that
you would teach me. Talk of some-
thing else, something that will bring
peace, and not increase of misery."
During this conversation I had retired
to a corner of the prison-room, where
I could conceal the horrid anguish that
possessed me. Despair! Who dared
talk of that ? The poor victim, who on
the morrow was to pass the dreary
boundary between life and death, felt
not as I did, such deep and bitter agony.
I gnashed my teeth, and ground them
together, uttering a groan that came
from my inmost soul. Justine started.
When she saw who it was, she ap-
proached me, and said, " Dear Sir, you
are very kind to visit me ; you, I hope,
do not believe that I am guilty."
I could not answer. " No, Justine,'*
said Elizabeth ; " he is more convinced
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 179
of your innocence than I was ; for even
when he heard that you had confessed,
he did not credit it^*
^^ I truly thank him. In these last
moments I feel the sincerest gratitude
towards those who think of me with
kindness. How sweet is the affection
of others to such a wretch as I am! It
removes more than half mymisfortune;
and I feel as if I could die in peace, now
that my innocence is acknowledged by
you, dear lady, and your cousin/'
Thus the poor sufferer tried to com-
fort others and herself. She indeed
gained the resignation she desired. But
I, the true murderer, felt the never-dying
worm alive in my bosom, which allowed
of no hope or consolation. Elizabeth
also wept, and was unhappy ; but her's
also was the misery of innocence, which,
like a cloud that passes over the fair
moon, for a while hides, but cannot tar-
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180 ^RANkBNSTSnC ; OR,
nish ite brigiitness. Anguish and de-
spair had penetrated into the eore of day
heart; I bore a hell within me, which
nothing could extinguish. We staid se-
veral hours with Justine; and it was
with great difficulty that Elizabeth couW
tear herself away. " I wish,'' cried she,
** that I were to die with you ; I eaiinot
live in this world of naisery."
Justine assumed an air of cheerful-
ness, while she with difficulty repressed
her bitter tears. She embraced Eliza-
J>eth, and said, in a voice of half-sup-
pressed emotion, " Farewell, sweet lady,
dearest Elizabeth, my beloved and only
friend; may heaven in its bounty bless
and preserve you ; may this be the last
misfortune that you will ever suffer.
Live, and be happy, and make others
As we returned, Elizabeth said, " You
know not, my dear Victor, how much I
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THE ICODRBH PROMZTHIUS. ISl
am relieved, now that I trust in the in-
nocence of this unfortunate girl. I
never could again have known peace,
if I had been deceived in my reliance on
her. For the moment that I did believe
her guilty, I felt an anguish that I could
not have long sustained. Now my heart
is lightened. The innocent suffers ; but
she whom I thought amiable and good
has not betrayed the trust I reposed in
her, and I am consokd.
Amiable cousin i such were your
thoughts, mild and gentle a$ your own
dear eyes and voice. But I — I was a
wretch, and none ever conceived of the
misery that I then endured.
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182 FRANKENSTEIN; OR9
CHAPTER VIII.
Nothing is more painful to the hii.
man mind, than, after the feelings have
been worked up by a quick succession
of events, the dead calmness of inaction
and certainty vrhich follows, and de-
prives the soul both of hope and fear.
Justine died; she rested; and I was
alive. The blood flowed freely in my
veins, but a weight of despair and re-
morse pressed on my heart, which no-
thing could remove. Sleep fled from
my eyes; I wandered like an evil spirit,
for I had committed deeds of mischief
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THE HOOXBN PROMBTHEUS. 183
beyond description horrible, and more,
much more, (I persuaded myself) was
yet behind. Yet my heart overflowed
with kindnessj and the love of virtue.
I had begun life with benevolent in-
tentions, and thirsted for the moment
when I should put them in practice,
and make myself useful to my fellow-
beings. Now all^ was blasted: instead
of that serenity of conscience, which
allowed me to look back upon the past
with self-satisfaction, and from thence
to gather promise of new hopes, I was
seized by remorse and the sense of guilt,
which hurried me away to a hell of in-
tense tortures, such as no language can
describe.
This state of mind preyed upon my
health, which had entirely recovered
from the first shock it had sustained.
I shunned the face of man ; all sound
of joy or complacency was torture to
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184 FRANXEKSTjeiN; Q|t,
me; solitude wa» my only conm>\$iioih^
deep, dark» death-like solitude.
My father observed with paiu the alte^
ration perceptible in my disposition aiid
habits, and endeavoured to reasoq i?v|th
me on the folly of giving way to immo-
derate grief. '^ Do ypu think, Victor/'
said he, " that I do not suffer also ? No
one could love a child more than I loved
your brother;*' (tears came into his
eyes as he spoke) ; '* but is it not a duty
to the survivors, that we should refrain
from augmenting their uuhappiqess by
an appearance of immoderate grief ? It
is also a duty owed to yourself; for ex-
cessive sorrow prevents improvement or
enjoyment, or even the discharge of
daily usefulness, without which no man
is fit for society.'*
This advice, although good, was to-
tally inapplicable to my case ; I should
have been the first to hide my grief, and
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THE MODBRN F&OMETHEUS. 185
console my friends, if remorse had not
mingled its bitterness with my other
sensations. Now I could only answer
my father with a look of despair, and
endeavour to hide myself from his view.
About this time we retired to our house
at Belrive. This change was particularly
agreeable to me. The shutting of the
gates regularly at ten o'clock, and the
impossibility of remaining on the lake
after that hour, l^ad rendered our re-
sidence within the walls of Geneva very
irksome to me. I was now free. Often,
after the rest of the family had retired
for the night, I took the boat, and passed
many hours upon the water. Some^
times, with my sails set, I was carried
by the wind ; and sometimes, after row-
ing into the middle of the lake, I left
the boat to pursue its own course, and
gave way to my own miserable re-
flections. I was often tempted, when
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186 fbakkenstein; ob,
all was at peace around me, and I the
only unquiet thing that wandered restless
in a scene so beautiful and heavenly, if
I except some bat, or the frogs, whose
harsh and interrupted croaking was heard
only when I approached the shore —
often, I say, I was tempted to plunge
into the silent lake, that the waters
might close over me and my calamities
for even But I was restrained, when I
thought of the heroic and suffering Eliza-
beth, whom I tenderly loved, and whose
existence was bound up in mine. I
thought also of my father, and surviving
brother: should I by my base desertion
leave them exposed and unprotected to
the malice of the fiend whom I had let
loose among them ?
At these moments I wept bitterly,
and wished that peace would revisit my
mind only that I might afford them
consolation and happiness. But that
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 187
could not be. Remorse extinguished
every hope. I had been the author of un-
alterable evils ; and I lived in daily fear,
lest the monster whom T had created
should perpetrate some new wicked*
ness. I had an obscure feeling that all
was not over, and that he would still
commit some signal crime, which by
its enormity should almost efface the
recollection of the past. There was
always scope for fear, so long as any
thing I loved remained behind. My
abhorrence of this fiend cannot be con-
ceived. When I thought of him, I
gnashed my teeth, my eyes became in-
flamed, and I ardently wished to extin-
guish that life which I had so thought-
lessly bestowed. When I reflected on
his crimes and malice, my hatred and
revenge burst all bounds of moderation.
I would have made a pilgrimage to the
highest peak of the Andes, could I, when
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188 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
tliere, have precipitated him to their
base. I wished to see him Bgain, that I
might wreak the utmost extent of anger
on his head, and avenge the deaths of
William and Justine.
Our house was the house of mourn^
ing. My father's health was deeply
shaken by the horror of the recent
events; Elizabeth was sad and despond-
ing ; she no longer took delight in her
ordinary occupations ; all pleasure seemed
to her sacrilege toward the dead ; eternal
woe and tears she then thought was the
just tribute she should pay to innocence
so blasted and destroyed. She was no
longer that happy creature, who in
earlier youth wandered with me on th^
banks of the lake, and talked with ecstacy
of our future prospects. She had be-
come grave, and often conversed of tba
inconstancy of fortune, and the iii£^-
bility of human life.
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THE MO0EBN PaOM£TBEUS. 189
" When I reflect^ my dear cousin,?
said she, '^ on the miserable death of Jus-
tine Moritz, I no longer see the i¥orld
and its works as they before appeared
to me. Before, I looked upon the ac-
counts of vice and injustice, that I r^ad
in books or h^ard from others, as tales
of ancient days, 6r imaginary evils; at
least they were remote, and itnore fami-
liar to reason than to the imagination ;
but now misery has come home, and
men appear to me as monsters thirsting
for each other's blood. Yet I am cer-
tainly unjust. Every body believed that
poor girl to be guilty; and if she could
have committed the crime for which she
suffered, assuredly she would have been
the most depraved of human creatures.
For the sake of a few jewels, to have
murdered the son of her benefactor and
friend, a child whom she had nursed
from its birth, and appeared to love as
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190 FRANKENSTEIN; OR^
if it had been her own ! I could not con-
sent to the death of any human being ;
but certainly I should have thought
such a creature unfit to remain in the
society of men. Yet she was innocent.
I know, I feel she was innocent ; you
are of the same opinion, and that con-
firms me. Alas ! Victor, when false-
hood can look so like the truth, who can
assure themselves of certain happiness ?
I feel as if I were walking on the edge
of a precipice, towards which thousands
arecrowding, and endeavouring to plunge
me into the abyss. William and Justine
were assassinated, and the murderer
escapes ; he walks about the world free,
and perhaps respected. But even if I
were condemned to suffer on the scaffold
for the same crimes, I would not change
places with such a wretch/'
I listened to this discourse with the
extremest agony. I, not in deed, but
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 191
in effect, was the true murderer. Eliza*
beth read my anguish in my countenance^
and kindly taking my hand, said, " My
dearest cousin, you must calm yourself.
These events have affected me, God
knows how deeply j but I am not
so wretched as you are. There is an
expression of despair, and sometimes of
revenge, in your countenance, that makes
me tremble. Be calm, my dear Victor;
I would sacrifice my life to your peace.
We surely shall be happy : quiet in our
native country, and not mingling in
the world, what can disturb our tran-
quillity ?'*
She shed tears as she said this, dis-
trusting the very solace that she gave ;
but at the same time she smiled, that
she might chase away the fiend that
lurked in my heart. My father, who
saw in the unhappiness that was painted
in my face only an exaggeration of that
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19S FRAUKZXrSTBIN ; OB,
sorrow which I might naturally feel^
thought that an amusement suited to
my taste would be the best means of
restoring to me my wonted serenity^
It was from this cause that he had re-
moved to the country ; and, induced by
the sanie motive, he now proposed that
we should all make an excursion to
the valley of Chamounix. I had been
there before, but Elizabeth and Ernest
never had ; and both had often expressed
an earnest desire to see the scenery of
this place, which had been described to
them as so wonderful and sublime. Ac^
cordingly we departed from Geneva on
this tour about the middle of the month
of August, nearly two numtiis after the
death of Justine. '
The weather was uncommonly fine;
and if mine had been a sorrow to b^
chased away by any fleeting circmm*-
vtance, this excursion would certainly
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THE MODEEN PROMETHEUS. 198
have had the effect intended by my father.
As it was, I was somewhat interested in
the scene ; it sometimes lulled, although
it could not extinguish my grief. During
the first day we travelled in a carriage.
In the morning we had seen the moun-
tains at a distance, towards which we
gradually advanced. We perceived that
the valley through which we wound, and
which was formed by the river Arve,
whose course we followed, closed in
upon us by degrees ; and when the sun
had set, we beheld immense mountains
and precipices overhanging us on every
side, and heard the sound of the river
raging among rocks, and the dashing of
water-falls around.
The next day we pursued our journey
upon mules; and as we ascended still
higher, the valley assumed a more
magnificent and astonishing character.
Ruined castles hanging on the precipices
VOL. I. K
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194 FRANKEKSTEIN ; OR,
of piny mountains ; the impetuous Arve^
and cottages every here and there peep-
ing forth from among the trees, formed
a scene of singular beauty. But it was
augmented and rendered sublime by the
mighty Alps, whose white and shining
pyramids and domues towered above aU
as belonging to another earth, the ha-
bitations of another race of beings.
. We passed the bridge of Pelissier,
where the ravine, which the river forms^
opened before ,us, and we began to as-
cend the mountain that overhangs it.
Soon after we entered! the valley of Cha-
mounix. This valley is more wonderful
and sublime, but not so beautiful and
picturesque as that of Servox, through
which we had just passed^ The high
and snowy mountains were its imme*
diate boundaries ; but we saw no more
ruined castles and fertile fields. Im-
mense glaciers approached the road{
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THE HODEBN FROMfiTfiSUS. 18S
iMe beard the rumbling thunder of the
£y9ing avelSLnche^ and marked the smoke
of its passage. Mont Blanc, the supreme
imd magnificent Mont Blanc, raised it*
self from the surrounding aiguilhs, and
itt tremendous dome overlooked the
Tall^y.:
During this jouraey, I sometimes
joined Elizabeth, and exerted myself to
point out to her the various beauties of
the scene. I often suffered my mule to
lag behind, and indulged in the misery
of reflection. At other times I spurred
on the animal before my companions,
that I might forget them, the world,
and, more than all, myself. When at
a distance, I alighted, and threw myself
on the grass, weighed down by horror
and despair. At eight in the evening I
arrived at Chamounix. My father and
Elizabeth were very much fatigued ;
Ernest, who accompanied us, was de-
k2
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IM FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
lighted, and in high spirits; the oaTr
circumstance that detracted from his
pleasure was the south wind, and the
rain it seemed to promise for the next
day.
We retired early to our apartments,
but not to sleep ; at least I did not. I
remained many hours at the window,
watching the pallid lightning that played
above Mont Blanc, and listening to the
rushing of the Arve, which ran below
-my window.
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 1^
CHAPTER IX.
The next day, contrary to the prognos-
tications of our guides, was finCi al-
though clouded. We visited the source
of the Arveiron, and rode about the
valley until evening. These sublime
and magnificent scenes afforded me the
greatest consolation that I was capable
of receiving. They elevated me from
all littleness of feeling; and although
they did not remove my grief, they
subdued and tranquillized it. In some
degree, also, they diverted my mind
from the thoughts over which it had
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brooded for the last month. I returned
in the evening, fatigued, but less un-
happy, and conversed vi^ith my family
with more cheerfulness than had been
my custom for some time. My father
was pleased, and Elizabeth overjoyed.
" My dear cousin," said she, '' you see
what happiness you diffuse when you
are happy; do not relapse again !**
The following morning the rain
poured down in torreats, and thick
mists hid the summits of the tnoui^^
tains. I rose early, but felt unusually
melancholy. The rain depressed me;
my old feelings recurred, and I was
miserable. I knew how disappointed
my father would be at this sudden
change, and I wished to avoid hitn
until I had recovered myself so far as to
be enabled to conceal those feelings
that overpowered me. I knew that
they would remain that day at the inn ;
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THE MOPEJIK PROMETHEUS. 190
and as I liad eyer inured my^lf to
rain, moisture, and cold, I resolved to
go alone to the summit of Montanvert^
I remembered the effect that the view
of the tremendous and ever-moving
glacier had produced upon my mind
when I first saw it« It had then filled
me with a sublime ecstacy that gave
wings to the soul^ and allowed it to
soar from the obscnre world to light
and joy* The sight of the awful and
majestic in nature had indeed always
the effect of solemnizing my mind, and
causing me to forget the passing cares
of life. I determined to go alone, for I
was well acquainted with the path, and
the presence of arw^ther would destroy
the solitary grandeur of the scene.
The ascent is precipitous^ but the
path is cut into continual and short
windings, which enable you to sur-
mount the perpendicularity of the
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SOO FAAIIKENSTEIN ; OS,
mountain. It is a scene terrifically de«
solate. In a thousand spots the traces
of the winter avelanche may be per-
ceived, where trees lie broken and
strewed on the ground ; some entirely
destroyed, others bent, leaning upon the
jutting rocks of the mountain, or trans-
versely upon other trees. The path, as
you ascend higher, is intersected by ra-
vines of snow, down which stones con-
tinually roll from above ; one of them
is particularly dangerous, as the slightr
est sound, such as even speaking in a
loud voice, produces a concussion of
air sufficient to draw destruction upon
the h^ad of the speaker. The pines
are not tall or luxuriant, but they are
sombre, and add an air of severity to
the scene. I looked on the valley be-
neath ; vast mists were rising from the
rivers which ran through it, and curl-
ing in thick wreaths around the oppo*
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THS MOBERN PBOMSTHEUS. SOI
^ite mountains^ whose Summits were
hid in the uniform clouds, while rain
poured from the dark sky, and added
to the melancholy impression 1 received
from the objects around me. Alas!
why does man boast of sensibilities su-
perior to those apparent in the brute;
it only renders them more necessary
beings. If our impulses were confined
to hunger, thirst, and desire, we might
be nearly free; but now we are moved
by every wind that blows, and a chance
word or scene that that word may con-
vey to us.
We rest 5 a dream has power to poison sleep.
We rise i one wandering thought pollutes the day.
We feel, conceive, or reason 3 laugh or weep.
Embrace fond woe, or cast our cares away ;
It is the same : for, be it joy or sorrow.
The path of its departure still is free.
Man's yesterday may ne'er be like his morrow j
Nought may endure but mutability !
k5
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sew ' rftAlHC£KSf92IH4 OR^
It was nearly iHXin when I wriTed M
tfae top of the accent. For Mine tiiae
I flat upon the rock that ov^erlooks the
sea of ice. A mist coyered both thai
and the surrounding mountains. Pre^
sently a breeze dissipated the cloud,
afid I descended upon the glacier. The
surface is very uneven, rising like the
waves of a troubled sea, descending low,
and interspersed by rifts that sink
deep. The field of ice is almost a
league in width, but I spent nearly two
hours in crossing it. The opposite
mountain is a bare perpendicular rock.
Frotn the side where I now stood Mont-
anvert was. ejcactly opposite, at the di-
stance of a league ; and above it rose
Mont Blanc, in awful majesty. I re-
mained in a recess of the rock, gazing
on this wonderful and stupendous scene.
The sea, or rather the vast river of ice,
wound among its dependent mountains.
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THE MODERN FBOMETHEUS* SOS
whose a&rial sommits hung over its re*-
cesses. Tlieir icy and glittering peaks
i^one in the sunlight over the clouds.
My heart, which was before sorrowful,
now swelled with something like joy ;
I exclaimed-T-" Wandaring spirits, if
indeed ye wander, and do not rest in
your narrow beds, allow me this faint
happiness, or take me, as your com-
panion, away from thetjoys of life."
As I said this, I suddenly beheld the
figure of a man, at some distance, ad*
vanctng towards me with superhuman
speed. He bounded over the crevices
in the ice, among which I had walked
with caution ; his stature also, as he
approached, seemed to exceed that of
man. I was troubled: a mist came
over my eyes, and I felt a faintness seize
me ; but I was quickly restored by the
cold gale of the mountains. I perceived,
as the shape came nearer, (sight tre-
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mendous and abhorred!) that it wv
the wretch whom I had created. I
trembled with rage and horror, resol-
viog to wait his approach, and then
close With him in mortal combat He
approached ; his countenance bespoke
bitter anguish, combined with disdain
and malignity, while its unearthly ug-
liness rendered it almost too horrible
for human eyes. But I scarcely oIn
served this; anger and hatred had at
first deprived me of utterance, and I
recovered only to overwhelm him with
words expressive of furious detestation
and contempt.
" Devil !'* I exclaimed, '* do you dare
approach me ? and do not you fear the
.fierce vengeance of my arm wreaked on
your miserable head ? Begone, vile in-
sect ! or rather stay, that I may trample
you to dust ! and, oh, that I could, with
the extinction of your miserable exist-
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THE MODERK t»AOM£tHEUS. 206
«nce, restore those victims whom you
have so diabolically murdered !*'
" I expected this reception," said the
daemon. " All men hate the wretched ;
haw then must I be hated, who am mi-
serable beyond all living things ! Yet
you, my creator, detest and spurn me,
thy creature, to whom thou art bound by
ties only dissoluble by the annihilation
of one of us. You purpose to kill me.
How dare you sport thus with life ?
Do your duty towards me, and I will
do mine towards you and the rest of
mankind. If you will comply with my
conditions, I will leave them and you
at peace ; but If you refuse, I will glut
the maw of death, until it be satiated
:with the blood of your remaining
friends."
" Abhorred monster ! fiend that thou
:art! the tortures of hell are too mild a
vengeance for thy crimes. Wretched
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206 FRANKEKSTEIil; OS9
devil ! you reproach me with your crea-
tion; come on then, that I may extin-
guish the spark which I so ne^igently
bestowed/'
My rage was without bounds; I
sprang on him, impelled by all the feel-
ings which can arm one being against
the existence of another*
He easily eluded me, and said,
" Be calm ! I entreat you to hear me,
before you give vent to your hatred on
my devoted head. Have I not suffered
enough, that you seek to increase my
misery ? Life, although it may only be
an accumulation of anguish, is dear to
me, and I will defend it. Remember,
thou hast made me more powerful than
thyself; my height is superior to thine ;
my joints more supple. But I will not
be tempted to set myself in opposition
to thee. I am thy creature, and I. will
be even mild and docile to my natural
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THE iiODERN pftonisrsttirs. SOT
}drd and king, if thou tvilt also perforin
thy part, the TPhich thou owest me.
Ob, Frankenstein, be not equitable to
every other, and trample upon me
alone, to whom thy justice, and even
thy clemency and affection, is most
due. Remember, that I am thy crea-
ture : I ought, to be thy Adam ; but I
am rather the fallen angel, whom thou
drivest from joy for no misdeed. Every
where I see bliss, from which I alone
am irrevocably excluded. I was bene-
volent and good; misery made me a
fiend. Make me happy, and I shall
again be virtuous."
" Begone ! I wiH not hear you.
There can be no community between
you and me ; we are enemies. Begone,
or let us try our strength in a fight, in
which one must fall/*
** How can I move thee ? Will no
entreaties cause thee to turn a favour-
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ItOB FBANKENSTEIK ; OK,
able eye upon thy Creature, who im-
plores thy goodness and compassion.
Believe me^ Frankenstein : I was bene*
volent ; my soul glowed with love and
humanity: but am I not alone, mise*
rably alone ? You, my creator, abhor
me ; what hope can I gather from your
fellow-creatures, who owe me nothing ?
they spurn and hate me. The de-
sert mountains and dreary glaciers
are my refuge. I have wandered
here many days; the caves of ice,
which I only do not fear, are a dwell-
ing to me, and the only one which
man does not grudge. These bleak
skies I hail, for they are kinder to me
than your fellow-beings. If the mul-
titude of mankind knew of my exist-
ence, they would do as you do, and
arm themselves for my destructidn.
Shall I not then hate them who abhor
me? I will keep no terms with my
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THE MbDEHN PROMSTHSUS. tO0
enemies. I am miserable^ and they
9hall share my wretchedness. Yet it
is in your power to recompense me, and
deliver them from an evil which it only
remains for you to make so great, that
not only you and your family, but thou-
sands of others, shall be swallowed up
in the whirlwinds of its rage. Let your
compassion be moved, and do not dis-
dain me. Listen to my tale: when you
have heard that^ abs^ndon or commi-
serate me^ as you shall judge that I de^
serve. But hear me. The guilty are
allowed, by human laws, bloody as they
are, to speak in their own defence be-
fore they are condemned. Listen to me>
Frankenstein. You accuse me of mur-
der ; and yet you would, with a satisfied
conscience, destroy your own creature.
Oh, praise the eternal justice of man !
Y^t I ask j'ou not to spare me; listen to
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$19 FRANK£NST£IN ; OE>
me ; and then, if you can, and if you
will, destroy the work of your hands.^^
**Why do you call to my remeffi-
brance," I rejoined, ** circumstances, of
which I shudder to reflect, that I have
been the miserable origin and author }
Cursed be the day, abhorred devil, in
which you first saw light ! Cursed (al-
though I curse myself) be the hands that
formed you ! You have made me wretch-
ed |}eyond expression* You have left
me no power to consider whether I am
jast to you, or not. Begone 1 relieve
me from the sight of your detested
form/'
" Thus I relieve thee, my creator,**
he said, and placed his hated bands
before my eyes, which I flung from me
with violence ; " thus I take from thee
a sight which you abhor. Still thou
canst listen to me, and grant me thy
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THE MOIIERK FB^HtSTBEEUS. 211
toitipfetssic»i. By the virtues that I once
possess^l, I demand this -from y^u.
ijear my tale; it is long and dtrange^
and tlie temperature of this place is not
fitting to your fine ^^ensatioDs ; come to
the hut up0n the mountain « The Bun is
yet bigli in the heavens; before it de*
scends to hide itself behind yon snowy
precipices, and illuminate another world,
yon will have beard my story, and can
decide. On yoti it rests, whether I quit
for ever the neigiibomiiood of man, and
lettd a Ixftrmiess life, or become the
scourge of your fcUow-creatures, and
the author of your own speedy i^in.*'
As he^d thi^ he led the way across
the ieie: I followed. My heart was full,
and I did not ahswei^ hini ; but, as I pro^
ceeded, I weighed the various argu-^
ments that he had used, and determined
at least to listen to his tale. I was
partly urged by curiosity, and compas*
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212 FEANKENSTEIN; OR,
sion confirmed my resolution. I had
hitherto supposed him to be the mur-
derer of my brother, and I eagerly sought
a confirmation or denial of this opinion.
For the first time, also, I felt what the
duties of a creator towards his creature
were, and that I ought to render him
happy before I complained of his wicked-
ness. These motives urged me to com-
ply with his demand. We crossed the
ice, therefore, and ascended the opposite
rock. The air was cold, and the rain
again began to descend : we entered the
hut, the fiend with an air of exultation,
I with a heavy heart, and depressed spi-
rits. But I consented to listen ; and,
seating myself by the fire which my
odious companion had lighted, be thus
began his tale.
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THE MODEEN ;PE0HETH£IT8. SIS
CHAPTER X.
" It is with considerable difficulty
that I remember the original sera of my
being: all the events of that period ap-
pear confused and indistinct. A strange
multiplicity of sensations seized me, and
I saw, felt, heard, and smelt, at the same
time; and it was, indeed, a long time
before I learned to distinguish between
the operations of my various senses. By
degrees, I remember, a stronger light
pressed upon my nerves, so that I was
obliged to shut my eyes. Darkness then
came over me, and troubled me; but
biardly had I felt this, when, by opening
my eyes, as I now suppose, the light
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$14 FRANKENSTEIN; OB^
poured in upon me again. I walked,
and, I believe, descended; but I pre-
sently found a great alteration in my
sensations. Before, dark and opaque
bodies had surrounded me, impervious
to my touch or sight ; but I now found
that I could wander on at liberty, with
no obstacles which I could not either
surmount or avoid. The light became
more and more oppressive to me ; and,
the heat wearying me as I walked, I
sought a place where I could receive
shade. This was the forest near In-
golstadt; and here I lay by the side
of a brook resting from my fatigue, until
I felt tormented by hunger and thirst.
This roused me from my nearly dormant
state, and I ate some berries which I
found hanging on the trees, or lying on
the ground. I slaked my thirst at the
brook ; and then lying down, was over-
come by sleep.
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TH£ MOOEBN PROMETHEUS. 215
" It was dark when I awoke ; I felt
cold also, and half- frightened, as it were
instinctively, finding myself so deso-
late. Before I had quitted your apart-
ment, on a sensation of cold^ I had co«
vered myself with some clothes ; but
these were insufficient to secure . me
from the dews of night. I was a poor,
helpless, miserable wretch ; I knew, and
could distinguish, nothing ; but feeling
pain invade me on all sides, I sat down
and wept.
**Soon a gende light stole over the
heavens, and gave me a sensation of
pleasure- I started up, and beheld a
radiant form rise from among the trees *.
I gazed with a kind of wouder. It
moved slowly, but it enlightened my
path ; and I again went out in search of
berries. I was still cold, when under
• The moon.
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216 PEANKENSTEIN ; OBj
one of the trees I found a huge cloak,
with which I covered myself, and sat
down upon the ground. No distinct
ideas occupied my mind ; all was coo-
fused. I felt light, and hunger, and
thirst, and darkness; innumerable
sounds rung in my ears, and on all
sides various scents saluted me: the
only object that I could distinguish was
the bright moon^ and I fixed my eyes on
that with pleasure.
" Several changes of day and night
passed, and the orb of night had greatly
lessened, when I began to distinguish
my sensations from each other. I gra-
dually saw plainly the clear stream
that supplied me with drink, and the
trees that shaded me with their foliage.
I was delighted when I first discovered
that a pleasant sound, which often
saluted my ears, proceeded from the
throats of the little winged animals who
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. > %17
/
had often interoepted the light from
my eyes. I began also to observe, with
greater accuracy, the forms that sur-
rounded me, and to perceive the bound-
aries of the radiant roof of light which
canopied me. Sometimes I tried to imi-
tate the pleasant songs of i;he birds, but
was unable. Sometimes I wished to ex-
press my sensations in my own mode,
but the uncouth and inarticulate sounds
which broke from me frightened me
into silence again.
'* The moon had disappeared from the
night, and again, with ai lessened form,
showed itself, while I still remained in
the forest. My sensations had, by this
time, become distinct, and my mind re-
ceived every day additional ideas. My
eyes became accustomed to the light,
and to perceive objects in their right
forms; I distinguished the insect from
the herb, and, by degrees, one herb from
VOL. I. L
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218 FRANKENSTEIN; 0£>
another. I found that the sparrow ut-
tered none but harsh notes, whilst those
of the blackbird and thrush were sweet
and enticing.
" One day, when I was oppressed by
cold, I found a fire which had been left
by some wandering beggars, and was
overcome with delight at the warmth I
experienced from it. In my joy I thrust
my hand into the live embers^ but
quickly drew it out again with a cry of
pain. How strange, I thought, that the
same cause should produce such oppo-
site effects ! I examined the materials
of the fire, and to my joy found it to be
composed of wood. I quickly collected
some branches ; but they were wet, and
would not burn. I was pained at thiS)
and sat still watching the operation of
the fire. The wet wood which I had
placed near the heat dried, and itself
became inflamed. I reflected on this ;
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THE MODERN PilOMETHEUS. 319
apd, by toucliing the various branches,
I discovered the cause, and busied ray-
self in collecting a great quantity of
wood, that I might dry it, and have a
plentiAil supply of fire. When night
came on, and brought sleep with it, I
was in the greatest fear lest my fire
should be extinguished. I covered it
carefully with dry wood and leaves, and
placed wet branches upon it ; and then,
spreading my cloak, I lay on the ground,
and sunk into sleep.
" It w^6 morning when I awoke, and
my first care was to visit the fire. T un-
covered it, ahd a gentle breeze quickly
fanned it into a flame. I observed this
also, and contrived a fan of branches,
which roused the embers when they
were nearly extinguished. When night
came again, I found, with pleasure, that
the fire gave light as well as heat ; and
l2
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220 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
that the discovery of this element was
useful to me in my foodj for I found
some of the offals that the travellers had
left had been roasted, and tasted much
more savoury than the berries I gathered
from the trees. I tried, therefore, to dress
my food in the same manner, placing it
on the live embers. I found that the
berries were spoiled by this operation,
and the nuts and roots much improved.
" Food, however, became scarce ; and
I often spent the whole day searching
in vain for a few acorns to assuage the
pangs of hunger. When I found this,
I resolved to quit the place that I had
hitherto inhabited, to seek for one where
the few wants I experienced would be
more easily satisfied. In this emigration,
I exceedingly lamented the loss of the
fire which I had obtained through acci-
dent, and knew not how to re-produce
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 221
it. I gave several hours to the serious
consideration of this difficulty; but I was
obliged to relinquish all attempt to sup-
ply it ; and, wrapping myself up in my
cloak, I struck across the wood towards
the setting sun. I passed three days in
these rambles, and at length discovered
the open country. A great fall of snow
had taken place the night before, and
the fields were of one uniform white ;
the appearance was disconsolate, and I
fouiid my feet chilled by the cold damp
substance that covered the ground.
" It was about seven in the morning,
and I longed to obtain food and shelter ;
at length I perceived a small hut, on a
rising ground, which had doubtless been
biiilt for the convenience of some shep-
herd. This was a new sight to me ;
and I examined the structure with great
curiosity. Finding the door open, I en-
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9SS FRANKENSTEIN; OB,
tered. Ad old man sat io it, near a fire,
over which he was preparing his breaks
fast. He turned on hearing a noise;
and, perceiving me, shrieked k>ud]y,
and, quitting the hut, ran across the
fields with a speed of which his debili*
tated form hardly appeared capable.
His appearance, different from any I had
ever before seen, and his flight, some*
what surprised me. But I was enchanted
by the appearance of the but : here the
snow and rain could not penetrate ; the
ground was dry ; and it presented to me
then as exquisite and divine a retreat as
Pandaemonium appeared to the daemons
of hell after their sufferings in the lake
of fire. I greedily devoured the rem-
nants of the shepherd's breakfast, which
consisted of bread, cheese, milk, and
wine; the latter, however, I did not
like. Then, overcome by fatigue, I
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 2S8
lay down among some straw^ and fell
asleep.
" It was noon when I awoke; and,
allured by the warmth of the sun, which
shone brightly on the white ground, I
determined to recommence my travels;
and, depositing the remains of the pea-^
sant's breakfast in a wallet I found, I
proceeded across the fields for several
hours, until at sunset I arrived at a
village. How miraculous did this ap^
pear ! the huts, the neater cottages, and
stately houses, engaged my admiration
by turns. The vegetables in the gar-
dens, the milk and cheese that I saw
placed at the windows of some of the
cottages, allured my appetite. One of
the best of these I entered ; but I had
hardly placed my foot within the door,
before the children shrieked, and one
of tl]^ women fainted. The whole village
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224 FRANKENSTEIN ; OR,
was roused; some fled, some attacked
me, until, grievously bruised by stones
and many other kinds of missile weapons,
I escaped to the open country, and fear-
fully took refuge in a low hovel, quite
bare, and making a wretched appearance
after the palaces I had beheld in the
village. This hovel, however, joined a
cottage of a neat and pleasant appear-
ance; but, after my late dearly-bought
experience, 1 dared not enter it. My
place of refuge was constructed of wood,
but so low, that I could with difficulty
sit upright in it. No wood, however,
was placed on the earth, which formed
the floor, but it was dry ; and although
the wind entered it by innumerable
chinks, I found it an agreeable asylum
from the snow and rain.
" Here then I retreated, and lay down,
happy to have found a shelter, however
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 225
miserable, from the inclemency of the
season, and still more from the barbarity
of man.
" As soon as morning dawned, I crept
from my kennel, that I might view the
adjacent cottage, and discover if I could
remain in the habitation I had found.
It was situated against the back of the
cottage, and surrounded on the sides
which were exposed by a pig-stye and a
clear pool of water. One part was open,
and by that I had crept in ; but now I
covered every crevice by which I might
be perceived with stones and wood, yet
in such a manner that I might move
them on occasion to pass out: all the
light I enjoyed came through the stye,
and that was sufficient for me.
" Having thus arranged my dwelling,
and carpeted it with clean straw, I re-
tired ;' for I saw the figure of a man at a
l5
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226 FRANKEKSTEIN ; Oft,
distance* and I remembered too well my
treatment the night before, to trust my-
self in his power. I had first, howeter,
provided for my sustenance for that day,
by a loaf of coarse bread, which I pur-
loined, and a cup with which I could
drink, more conveniently than from my
hand, of the pure water which flowed by
my retreat. The floor was a little raised,
so that it was kept perfectly dry, and by
its vicinity to the chimney of the cottage
it was tolerably warm.
" Being thus provided, I resolved to
reside in this hovel, until something
should occur which might alter my de-
termination. It was indeed a paradise,
compared to the bleak forest, my former
residence, the rain-dropping branches,
and dank earth. I ate my breakfast with
pleasure, and was about to remove a
plank to procure myself a little water,
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 9311
when I heard a step, and, looking through
a small chink, I beheld a young creature,
with a pail on her head, passing before
my hovel. The girl was young and of
gentle demeanour, unlike what I have
since found cottagers and farm-house
servants to be. Yet she was meanly
dressed, a coarse blue petticoat and a
linen jacket being her only garb; her
fair hair was plaited, but not adorned ;
she looked patient, yet sad. I lost sight of
her ; and in about a quarter of an hour
she returned, bearing the pail, which
was now partly filled with milk. As she
walked along, seemingly incommoded
by the burden, a young man met her,
whose countenance expressed a deeper
despondence. Uttering a few sounds
with an air of melancholy, he took the
pail from her head, and bore it to the
cottage himself. She followed, and they
disappeared. Presently I saw the young
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228 FRANKENSTEIN; OR^
inan again, with some tools in his hand,
cross the field behind the cottage; and
the girl was also busied, sometimes in
the house, and sometimes in the yard.
" On examining my dwelling^ I found
that one of the windows of the cottage
had formerly occupied a part of it, but
the panes had been filled up with wood.
In one of these was a small and almost
imperceptible chink, through which the
eye could just penetrate. Through this
crevice a small room was visible, white-
washed and clean, but very bare of
furniture. In one corner, nep.r a small
fire, sat an pld man, leaning his head
on his hands in a disconsolate attitude.
The young girl was occupied in ar-
ranging the cottage ; but presently she
took something out of a drawer, which
employed her hands, and she sat down
beside the old man, who, taking up an
instrument, began to play, and to pro-
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. SS9
duce sounds sweeter than the voice of
tlie thrush or the nightingale. It was a
lovely sight, even to me, poor wretch !
who had never beheld aught beautiful
before. The silver hair and benevolent
countenance of the aged cottager won
my reverence, while the gentle manners
of the girl enticed my love. He played
a sweet mournful air, which I perceived
drew teal's from the eyes of his amiable
companion, of which the old man took
no notice, until she sobbed audibly ; he
then pronounced a few sounds, and the
fair creature, leaving her work, knelt
at his feet. He raided her^ and smiled
with such kindness and affection, that
I felt sensations of a peculiar and over-
powering nature : they were a mixture
of pain and pleasure, such as I had
never before experienced, either from
hunger or cold, warmth or food ; and I
y Google
9S0 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
withdrew from the window, unable to
bear these emotions.
" Soon after this the young man re-
turned, bearing on his shoulders a load
of wood. The girl met him at the door,
helped to relieve him of his burden, and,
taking some of the fuel into the cottage,
placed it on the fire ; then she and the
youth went apart into a nook of the cot-
tage, and he showed her a large loaf and
a piece of cheese. She seemed pleased,
and went into the garden for some roots
and plants, which she placed in water,
and then upon the fire. She afterwards
continued her work, whilst the young
man went into the garden, and appeared
busily employed in digging and pulling
up roots. After he had been employed
thus about an hour, the young woman
joined him, and they entered the cottage
together.
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 231
** The old man had, in the mean time,
been pensive; but, on the appearance
of hid companions, he assumed a more
cheerful air, and they sat down to eat.
The meal was quickly despatched. The
young woman was again occupied in
arranging the cottage; the old man
walked before the cottage in the sun
for a few minutes, leaning on the arm
of the youth. Nothing could exceed in
beauty the contrast between these two
excellent creatures. One was old, with
silver hairs and a countenailce beaming
with benevolence and love : the younger
was slight and graceful in his figure,
and his features were moulded with the
finest symmetry ; yet his eyes and atti-
tude expressed the utmost sadness and
despondency. The old man returned
to the cottage J and the youth, with
tools different from those he had used
y Google
932 FRANKENSTEIN; 0B^
in the morning, directed his steps across
the fields.
" Night quickly shut in ; but, to my
extreme wonder, I found that the cot-
tagers had a means of prolonging light
by the use of tapers, and was delighted
to find that the setting of the sun did
not put an end to the pleasure I ex-
perienced in watching my human neigh-
bours. In the evening, the yoqng girl
and her companion were employed in
various occupations which I did not
understand ; and the old man again
took up the instrument which produced
the divine sounds that had enchanted
me in the morning. So soon as he had
finished, the youth began, not to play,
but to titter sounds that were mono-
tonous, and neither resembling the har-
mony of the old man's instrument or the
songs of the birds: I since found that
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS.
he read aloud^ but at that time I knew
nothing of the science of words or letters.
" The family, after having been thus
occupied for a short time, extinguished
their h'ghts, and retired, as I conjectured,
to rest.
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284 FRANKE19STEIN ; OS,
CHAPTER XL
" I LAY on my straw, but I could not
sleep. I thought of the occurrences of
the day. What chiefly struck me was
the gentle manners of these people ; and
I longed to join them, but dared not.
I remembered too well the treatment I
had suflered the night before from the
barbarous villagers, and resolved, what-
ever course of conduct I might hereafter
think it right to pursue, that for the
present I would remain quietly in my
hovel, watching, and endeavouring to
discover the motives which influenced
their actions.
y Google
THE MODEBN PROMETHEUS.
" The cottagers arose the next morn-?
ing before the sun. The youfig woman
arranged the cottage, and prepared the
food ; and the youth departed after the
first meal.
'' This day was passed in the same
routine as that which preceded it. The
young' man was constantly employed out
of doors, and the girl in various labo-
rious occupations within. The old man,
whom I soon perceived to be blind,
employed his leisure hours on his in-
strument or in contemplation. Nothing
could exceed the love and respect which
the younger cottagers exhibited towards
their venerable companion. They per-
formed towards him every little office
of afTection and duty with gentleness;
a:nd he rewarded them by his benevolent
smiles*
"' They were not entirely happy. The
young man and his companion often
y Google
236 FBAKKEKSTEIN ; OB,
went, apart, and appeared to weep. I
saw no cause for their unhappiness;
but I w?is deeply affected by it. If
such lovely creatures were miserable,
it was less strange that I, an imperfect
and solitary being, should be wretched.
Yet why were these gentle beings un-
happy? They possessed a delightful
house (for such it was in my eyes) and
every luxury ; they had a fire to warm
them when chill, and delicious viamfe
when hungry; they were dressed in
excellent clothes ; and, still more, they
enjoyed one another's company and
speech, interchanging each day looks
of affection . and kindness. What did
their tears imply ? Did they really ex-
press pain ? I was at first unable to
solve these questions; but perpetual at-
tention and time explained to me many
appearances which were at first enig-
matic.
y Google
THE MODEEN PROMETHEUS. 237
" A considerable period elapsed be-
fore I discovered one of the causes of
the uneasiness of this amiable family: it
was poverty ; and they suffered that evil
in a very distressing degree. Their
nourishment consisted entirely of the
vegetables of their garden, and the milk
of one cow, who gave very little during
the winter, when its masters could
scarcely procure food to support it.
They often, I believe, suffered the pangs
of hunger very poignantly, especially the
two younger cottagers ; for several times
■Aey placed food before the old man,
when they reserved none for them-
selves.
" This trait of kindness moved me
sensibly. I had been accustomed, dur-
ing the night, to steal a part of their
store for my own consumption; l^ut
when I found that in doing this I in-
flicted pain on the cottagers, I abstained.
y Google
288 fbankekstein; on,
aod satisfied myself with berries, nuts,
and roots, which I gathered from a
neighbouriog wood.
*' I discovered also another means
through which I was enabled to assist
their labours. I found that the youth
spent a great part of each day in col-
lecting wood for the family fire; and,
during the night, I often took his tools,
the use of which I quickly discovered,
and brought home firing sufficient for
the consumption of several days.
" I remember, the first time that I
did this, the young woman, when she
opened the door in the morning, ap-
peared greatly astonished on seeing a
great pile of wood on the outside. She
uttered some words in a loud voice,
and the youth joined her, who also
expressed surprise. I observed, with
pleasure, that he did not go to the
forest that day, but spent it in repair*
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. S39
ing the cottage, and cultivating the
garden.
" By degrees I made a discovery of
still greater moment. I found that
these people possessed a method of
communicating their experience and
feelings to one another by articulate
sounds. I perceived that the words
they spoke sometimes, produced plea-
sure or pain, smiles or sadness, in the
minds and countenances of the hearers.
This was indeed a godlike science, and
I ardently desired to become acquainted
with it. But I was baffled in every at-
tempt I made for this purpose. Their
pronunciation was quick ; and the
words they uttered, not having any
apparent connexion with visible ob-
jects, I was unable to discover any clue
by which I could unravel the mystery
of their reference. By great applica-
tion, ho.wever, and after having re-
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S40 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
mained during the space of several
revolutions of the moon in my hovel, I
discovered the names that were given
to some of the most familiar objects of
discourse; I learned and applied the
words, jire^ milk^ breads atid wood. I
learned also the names of the cottagers
themselves. The youth and his com-
panion had each of them several names,
but the old man had only one, which
was father. The girl was called sister^
or Agatha ; and the youth Felix^ brother^
or son. I cannot describe the delight
I felt when I learned the ideas appro-
priated to each of these sounds, and
was able to pronounce them. I distin-
guished several other words, without
being able as yet to understand or ap-
ply them ; such as good, dearestj m-
happy.
^^ I spent the winter in this manner.
The gentle manners and beauty of the
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. S41
cottagers greatly endeared them to ma :
when they were unhappy, I felt depress-
ed ; when they rejoiced, I sympathized
in their joys. I saw few human beings
beside them ; and if any other happened
to enter the cottage, their harsh manners
and rude gait only enhanced to me the
superior accomplishments of my friends.
The old man, I could perceive, often
endeavoured to encourage his children,
as sometimes I found that he called
them, to cast off their melancholy, He
would talk in a cheerful accent, with
an expression of goodness that bestowed
pleasure even upon me. Agatha list-
ened with respect, her eyes sometimes
filled with tears, which she endeavoured
to wipe away unperceived ; but I gene-
rally found that her countenance and
tone were more cheerful after having
listened to the exhortations of her fa-
ther. It was not thus with Felix. He
VOL. I. M
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24£ FBANKENSTEIV; OR,
was always the saddest of the groupe ;
and, even to my unpractised senses, he
appeared to have suffered more deeply
than his friends. But if his counte-
nance was more sorrowful, his voice
was more cheerful than that of his sis-
ter, especially when he addressed the
old man.
^^ I could mention innumerable in-
stances, which, although slight, marked
the dispositions of these amiable cot-
tagers. In the midst of poverty and
want, Felix carried with pleasure to his
sister the first little white flower that
peeped out from beneath the snowy
ground. Early in the morning before
she had risen, he cleared away the
snow that obstructed her path to the
milk-house, drew water from the well,
and brought the wood from the out-
house, where, to his perpetual astonish-
ment, he found his store always reple-
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 2i3
nished by an invisible hand. In the
day, I believe, he worked sometimes
for a neighbouring farmer, because he
often went forth, and did not return
until dinner, yet brought no wood with
him. At other times he worked in the
garden ; but, as there was little to do
in the frosty season^ he read to the old
man and Agatha.
'' This reading had puzzled me ex-
tremely at first ; but, by degrees, I dis*
covered that he uttered many of the
same sounds when be read, as when he
talked. I conjectured, therefore, that
he found on the paper signs for speech
which he understood, and I ardently
longed to comprehend these also ; but
how was that possible, when I did not
even understand the sounds for which
they stood as signs ? I improved, how-
ever, sensibly in this science, but not
sufficiently to follow up any kind of
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244 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
conversation, although I applied my
whole mind to the endeavour : for I
easily perceived that, although I ea-
gerly longed to discover myself to the
cottagers, I ought not to make the at-
tempt until I had first become master
of their language ; which knowledge
might enable me to make them over-
look the deformity of my figure; for
with this also the contrast perpetually
presented to my eyes had made me
acquainted.
" I had admired the perfect forms of
my cottagers — their grace, beauty, and
delicate complexions : but how was I
terrified, when I viewed myself in a
transparent pool ! At first I started
back, unable to believe that it was in-
deed I who was reflected in the mirror;
and when I became fully convinced
that I was in reality the monster that I
am, I was filled with the bitterest sen-
\
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 247
occasions, utter the words good spirit,
wonder/ill; but I did not then under-
stand the signification of these terms.
*' My thoughts now became more
active, and I longed to discover the
mptives and feelings of these lovely
creatures ; I was inquisitive to know
why Felix appeared so miserable, and
Agatha so sad. I thought (foolish
wretch !) that it might be in my power
to restore happiness to these deserving
people. When I slept, or was absent,
the forms of the venerable blind father,
the gentle Agatha, and the excellent
Felix, flitted before me. I looked upon
them as superior beings, who would be
the arbiters of my future destiny. I
formed in my imagination a thousand
pictures of presenting myself to them,
and their reception of me. I imagined
that they would be disgusted, until, by
niy gentle demeanour and conciliating
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248 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
words, I should first win their favour,
and afterwards their love.
'' These thoughts exhilarated me,
and led me to apply with fresh ardour
to the acquiring the art of language.
My organs were indeed harsh, but sup-
ple ; and although my voice was very
unlike the soft niusic of their tones,
yet I pronounced such words as I un-
derstood with tolerable ease. It was
as the ass and the lap-dog ; yet surely
the gentle ass, whose intentions were
affectionate, although his manners were
rude, deserved better treatment than
blows and execration.
'' The pleasant showers and genial
warmth of spring greatly altered the
aspect of the earth. Men^ who bfore
this change seemed to have been hid
in caves, dispersed themselves, and
were employed in various arts of culti-
vation. The birds sang in more cheer-
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 24S
sations of despondence and mortifica-
tion. Alas ! I did not yet entirely
know the fatal effects of this miserable
deformity.
*' As the sun became warmer, and
the light of day longer, the snow va-
nished, and 1 beheld the bare trees and
the black earth. From this time Felix
was more employed : and the heart-
moving indications of impending fa-
mine disappeared. Their food, as I
afterwards found, was coarse, but it
ivas wholesome ; and they procured a
sufficiency of it. Several new kinds
of plants sprung up in the garden,
which they dressed ; and these signs of
comfort increased daily as the season
advanced.
" The old man, leaning on his son,
walked each day at noon, when it did
not rain, as I found it was called when
the heavens poured forth its waters.
M 3
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246 TRANKENSTEIN ; OR,
This frequently took place ; but a high
M'ind quickly dried the earth, and the
season became far more pleasant than
it had been.
" My mode of life in my hovel was
uniform. During the morning I at-
tended the motions of the cottagers;
and when they were dispersed in va-
rious occupations, I slept : the remain-
der of the day was spent in observing
my friends. When they had retired to
rest, if there was any moon, or the night
was star-light, I went into the woods,
and collected my own food and fuel
for the cottage. When I returned, as
often as it was necessary, I cleared their
path from the snow, and performed
those offices that I bad seen done by
Felix. I afterwards found that these
labours, performed by an invisible
hand, greatly astonished them; and
once or twice I heard them, on these
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 249
ful notes^ and the leaves began to bud
forth on the trees. Happy, happy
earth! fit habitation for gods, which,
so short a time before, was bleak, damp,
and unwholesome. My spirits were
elevated by the enchanting appearance
of nature ; the past was blotted from
my memory, the present was tranquil,
and the future gilded by bright rays
of hope, and anticipations of joy/'
END OP VOL. I.
y Google
LONDON:
PEIKTED BY THOMAS DAVISOX, WHITEFRIASS.
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FRANKENSTEIN
OR,
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS.
MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT SHELLEY.
IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOL. n.
A NEW EDITION.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR G. AND W. B. WHITTAKER,
AVE-MARlA-LANB.
1823.
jLo ^ • Dg^ed by Google
^
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FRANKENSTEIN;
OR,
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS.
CHAPTER I.
** I NOW hasten to the more moving
part of my story. I shall relate events,
that impressed me with feelings which,
from what I had been, have made me
what I am.
" Spring advanced rapidly; the wea-
ther became fine, and the skies cloud-
less. It surprised me, that what before
was desert and gloomy should now
bloom with the most beautiful flowers
and verdure. My senses were gratified
and refreshed by a thousand scents of
delight, and a thousand sights of
beauty.
VOL. II. B
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2 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
" It was on one of these days, when
my cottagers periodically rested from
labour — the old man played on his
guitar, and the children listened to
him — that I observed the countenance of
Felix was melancholy beyond expres-
sion ; he sighed frequently ; and once
his father paused in his music, and I
conjectured by his manner that he in-
quired the cause of his son*s sorrow.
Felix replied in a cheerful accent, and
the old man was recommencing his
music, when some one tapped at the
door.
" It was a lady on |horseback, accom-
panied by a countryman as a guide.
The lady was dressed in a dark suit, and
covered with a thick black veil. Agatha
asked a question ; to which the
stranger only replied by pronouncing, in
a sweet accent, the nanle of Felix. Her
voice was musical, but unlike that of
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THE MODERK PBOMETHEUS. 6
leither of my friends. On hearing this
word, Felix came up hastily to the lady ;
who, when she saw him, threw up her
veil, and 1 beheld a countenance of an-
gelic bpauty and expression. Her hair
ef a Sihining r^ven black, and curiously
braided ; her eyes were dark, but gentle,
although animated; her features of a
regular proportion, and her complexion
wondrously fair, each cheek tinged with
a lovely pink.
" Felix seemed ravished with de-
light when he saw her, every trait
of sorrow vanished from hjs face,
and it instantly expressed a degree
of ecstatic joy, of which I could hardly
have believed it capable; hi9 eyes
sparkled, as bis cheek flushed with
pleasure; and at that moment I thought
him as beautiful as the stranger. She
appeared afiected by different feelings;
wiping a few tears from her lovely eyes>
B 2
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4 FRANKENSTEIN; ORj
she held out her hand to Felix, who
kissed it rapturously, and called her, as
well as I could distinguish, his ^weet
Arabian. She did not appear to under-
stand him, but smiled. He assisted her
to dismount, and dismissing her guide,
conducted her into the cottage. Some
conversation took place between him
and his father; and the young stranger
knelt at the old man's feet, and would
have kissed his hand, but he raised her>
and embraced her affectionately.
" I soon perceived, that although the
stranger uttered articulate sounds, and
appeared to have a language of her
own, she was neither understood by, nor
herself understood, the cottagers. They
made many signs which I did not com-
prehend; but I saw that her presence
diffused gladness through the cottage,
dispelling their sorrow as the sun dissi-
pates the morning mists. Felix seemed
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 5
peculiarly happy, and with smiles of
delight welcomed his Arabian. Agatha,
the ever-gentle Agatha, kissed the hands
of the lovely stranger; and, pointing to
her brother, made signs which appeared
to me to mean that he had been sorrow-
ful until she came. Some hours passed
thus, While they, by their countenances,
expressed joy, the cause of which I did
not comprehend. Presently I found, by
the frequent recun*ence of some sound
which the stranger repeated after them,
that she was endeavouring to learn
their language; and the idea instantly
occurred to me, that I should make use
of the same instructions to the same
end. The stranger learned about
twenty words at the first lesson, most
of them, indeed, were those which I had
before Understood, but I profited by the
others.
*^ As night came on, Agatha and the
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6 FHANKENStEIN ; OH,
Arabian retired edrly. When they se-
parated, Felix kisg^ed the hand of the
stranger, and said, ' Good night, sweet
Safie/ He sat up much longer, con-
versing with his father; and, fcy the
frequent repetition of her name, I con-'
jectured that their lovely guest was the
subject of their conversation. I ardently
desired to understand them, and bent
every faculty towards that purpose, but
found it utterly impossible.
** The next morning Felix went out
to his work; and, after the usual occu-
pations of Agatha were finished, the
Arabian sat at the feet of the old man,
and, taking his guitar, played some airs
so entrancingly beautiful, that they at
once drew tears of sorrow and delight
from my eyes. She sang, and her voice
flowed in a rich cadence, swelling or
dying away, like a nightingale of the
woods.
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THE MOPERN PROICBTBBUS. 7
" When she had finished, she gave the
guitar to Agatha, who at first declined
it. She played a simple air, and her
voice accompanied it in sweet accents,
but unlike the wondrous strain of the
stranger. The old man appeared en-
raptured, and said some words, which
Agatha endeavoured to explain to Safie,
and by which he appeared t6 wish' to
express that she bestowed on him the
greatest delight by her music.
" The days now passed as peaceably as
before, with the sole alteration, that joy
had taken place of sadness in the coun-
tenances of my friends. . Safie was always
gay and happy; she and I improved
rapidly in the knowledge of language,
so that in two months I began to com-
prehend most of the words uttered by
my protectors.
*' In the meanwhile also the black
ground was covered with herbage, and
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B 7RANK£MSTEIX ; OR, /
the green banks interspersed with in-
numerable flowers, sweet to the scent
and the eyes, stars of pale radiance
among the moonlight woods; the sun
became warmer, the nights clear and
balmy; and my nocturnal rambles were
an extreme pleasure to me, although
they were considerably shortened by the
late setting and early rising of the slin;
for I never ventured abroad during day*
light, fearful of meeting with the same
treatment I had formerly endured in the
first village which I entered •
" My days were spent in close atten-
tion, that I might more speedily master
the language; and I may boast that I
improved more rapidly than the Ara-
bian, who understood very little, and
conversed in broken accents, whilst I
comprehended and could imitate almost
every word that was spoken.
'* While I improved in speech, I also
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 9
learned the science of letters, as it was
taught to the stranger ; and this opened
before me a wide field for wonder and
delight.
*• The book from which Felix in-
structed Safie was Volney*s Ruins of Em-
pires. I should not have understood the
purport of this book, had not Felix, in
reading it, given very minute explana-
tions. He had chosen this work, he
said, because the declamatory style was
framed in imitation of the eastern au-
thors. Through this work I obtained a
cursory knowledge of history, and a view
of the several empires at present existing
in the world ; it gave me an insight into
the manners, governments, and religions
of the different nations of the earth. I
heard of the slothful Asiatics; of the
stupendous genius and mental activity
of the Grecians ; of the wars and w^n-
derful virtue of the early Romans — of
b5
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10 FRANKENSTEIN; OR, ^
their subsequent degenerating— of the
decline of tbat mighty empire ; of chi*
vahy, Christianity, and kings. I beard
of the discovery of the American hemi-
sphere, and wept with Safie over the
hapless fate of its original inhabitants.
*' These wonderful narrations inspired
me with strange feelings. Was man, in-
deed, at once so powerful, so virtuous,
and magnificent, yet so vicious and
base ? He appeared at one time a mere
scion of the evil principle, and at an-
other as all that can be conceived of no-
ble and godlike. To be a great and vir-
tuous man appeared the highest honour
that can befall a sensitive being ; to be
base and vicious, as many on record
have been, appeared the lowest degra-
dation, a condition more abject than tbat
of the blind mole or harmless worm. For
a long time I could not conceive how one
man could go forth to murder his fellow,
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 11
(ft even why there were laws and go-
vernments ; but when I heard details of
yi<:« and bloodshed, my woiider ceased,
and I turned away with disgust and
loathing.
^* Erery conversation of the cottagers
now opened new wonders to me. While
i listened to the instructions which Fe-
lix bestowed upon the Arabian, the
strange system of human society was ex-
|)lained to me. I heard of the division
of property, of immense wealth and
idqujSllid poverty; of rank, descent, and
noble blood.
" The words induced me to turn to-
wards myself. I learned that the pos-
sessions most esteemed by your fellow-
creatures were, high and unsullied de-
dcent united with riches. A man might
be respected with only one of these ad-
vantages ; but without either he was con-
sidered) except in very rare instances.
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19 VRANKENSTEn?; OR|
as a vagabond and a slave, doomed to
waste his powers for the profit of the
chosen few > And what was I ? Of my
creation and creator 1 was absolutely
ignorant ; but I knew that I possessed
no money, no friends, no kind of pro-
perly. I was, besides, endued with a
figure hideously deformed and loath-
some ; I was not even of the same na-
ture as man. I was more agile than
they, and could subsist upon coarser
diet ; I bore the extremes of heat and
cold ;with less injury to my frame ; my
stature far exceeded theirs. When I
looked around, I saw and heard of none
like me. Was I then a monster, a blot
upon the earth, from which all men fled,
and whom all men disowned ?
" I cannot describe to you the agony
that these reflections inflicted upon me ;
I tried to dispel them, but sorrow only
increased with knowledge. Qh, that
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. IS
I had for ever remained in my native.
wood, nor known nor felt beyond
the sensations of huqger, thirst, and
heat!
** Of what a strange nature is know-
ledge ! It clings to the mind^ when it
has once seized on it, like a licheaon
the rock. I wished sometimes to shake
off all thought and feeling ; but I learned
that there was but one means to over-
come the sensation of pain, and that
was death — a state which 1 feared yet
did not understand. I admired virtue
and good feelings, and loved the gentjie
manners and amiable qualities of my
cottagers ; but I was shut out from in-
tercourse with them, except through
means which I obtained by stealth, when
I was unseen and unknown, a^nd which
rather increased than satisfied the desire
I had of becoming one among my fel-
lows. The gentle words of Agatha, and
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14 FRANKENSTEIN; ORj
the animated smiles of the cbanniflg<
Arabian, were not for me. The mild
exhortations of the old man, and the
lively conversation of the loved Felix,
were not for me. Miserable, unhappy
wretch !
" Other lessons were impressed upoD
me even more deeply. I heard of the
difference of sexes ; of the birth and
growth of children; how the father
doated on the smiles of the infant, and
*he lively sallies of the older child;
how all the life and cares of the mother
were wrapped up in the precious charge :
how the mind of youth expanded and
gained knowledge; of brother, sister,
and all the various relationships which
hind one human being to another in mu-
tual bonds.
" But where were my friends and
relations ? No father had watched my
infant days, no mother had blessed me
yGoogle
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 15
with smiles and caresses ; or if they had,
all my past life was now a blot, a blind
vacancy in which 1 distinguished no-
thing. From my earliest remembrance
I had been as I then was in height and
proportion, I had never yet seen a be-
ing resembling me, or who claimed any
intercourse with me. What was I ? The
question again recurred, to be answered
only with groans.
** I will soon explain to what these
feelings tended; but allow me now ta
return to the cottagers, whose story ex-
cited in me such various feelings of
indignation, delight, and wonder, but
which all terminated in additional love
and reverence for my protectors (for so
I loved, in an innocent, half painful self-
deceit, to call them).
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I^ FRANKENSTEIN f OR^
CHAPTER II.
'* Some time elapsed before I learned
the history of my friends. It was one
which could not fail to impress itself
deeply on my mind, unfolding as it did
a number of circumstances, each inte-
resting and wonderful to one so utterly
inexperienced as I was.
" The name of the old man wa-s De
Lacey. He was descended from a good
family in France, where he had lived
for many years in afBuence, respected
by his superiors, and beloved by his
equals. His son was bred in the ser-
y Google
THE MODEBN PROMETBilUS. 17
vice of his country; and Agatha had
ranked with ladies of the highest di-
stinction. A few months before my ar-
rival, they had lived in a lai^e and
luxurious city, called Paris, surrounded
by. friends, and possessed of every en-
joyment which virtue, refinement of in-
tellect, or taste, accompanied by a mode-
rate fortune, could afford.
" The father of Safie had been the
cause of their riiin. He was a Turkish
merchant, and had inhabited Paris for
many years, when, for some reason
which I could not learn, he became
obnoxious to the government. He was
seized and cast into prison the very day
that Safie arrived from Constantinople
to join him. He was tried, and con-
demned to death. The injustice of his
sentence was very flagrant;, all Paris
^as indignant ; and it was judged that
his religion and w ealth, rather than thQ
y Google
I S FBANKENSTBIN ; OS,
crime alleged against him, had beea
the cause of liia condemnatian.
- " Felix had accidentally b^en present
at the trial ; his horror and indignation
were uficontrollable, when he heard the
decision of the court. He made, at that
moment, a solemn vow to deliver bimi
and then looked around for the means.
After many fruitless attempts to gain
admittance to the prison, he found a
strongly grated window in an unguarded
part of the building, which lighted the
dungeon of the unfortunate Mahometan;
Who, loaded with chains, waited in de-
spair the execution of the barbarous
sentence. Felix visited the grate at
night, and made known to the prisoner
his intentions in his favour. The Turk,
amazed and delighted^ endeavoured to
kindle the zeal of his deliverer by pro-
mises of reward and wealth. Felix
rejected his offers with contempt; yet
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THE MODfitlN I^ROMSTSEUS. 19
i^hen he saw the lovely Safie, who was
allowed to visit her iFather, and who, by
her gestoses, expressed her lively gra-
titude, the youth could not help owning
to his own mind, that the captive pos-
liessed a treasure which would fully re-
Ward his toil and hazard. ^
" The Turk quickly perceived the
impression that his daughter had made
on the heart of Felix, and endeavoured
to secure him more entirely in his inte-
rests by the promise of her hand in
marriage, so soon as he should be con-
veyed to a place of safety. Felix was
too delicate to accept this offer; yet he
l5ooked forward to the probability of the
event as to the consummation of his
happiness.
" During the ensuing day^, while the
preparations were going forward for the
escape of the merchant, the zeal of
Felix was warmed by several letters
y Google
20 FRANKENSTEIN; OB,
that he received from this lovely girl,
who found means to express her thoughts
in the language of her lover by the aid
of an old man, a servant of her father,
who understood French. She thanked
him in the most ardent terms for his
intended services towards her parent j
and at the same time she gently deplored
her own fate.
** I have copies of these letters; for I
found means, during my residence in
the hovel, to procure the implements
of writing ; and the letters were often
in the hands of Felix or Agatha. Be-
fore I depart, I will give them to you,
they will prove the truth of my tale;
biit at present, as the sun is already far
declined, I shall only have time to re-
peat the substance of them to you.
" Safie related, that her mother was
a Christian Arab, seized and made a
slave by the Turks; recommended by
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THE MODERN FIlOMETHEUS. 81
her beauty, she bad won tbe heart of
the fatber of Safie, wbo married ber.
The }oung girl spoke in bigb and en*
thuBiastic terms of ber mother, wbo,
born in freedom, spurned the bondage
to which she was now reduced. She
instructed her daughter in the tenets of
her religion, and taught her to aspire
to higher powers of intellect, and an
independence of spirit, forbidden to the
female followers of Mahomet. This lady
died ; but ber lessons were indelibly im-
pressed on the mind of Safie, who sick-
ened at the prospect of again returning
to Asia, and being immured within
the walls of a baram, alloyved only to
occupy herself with infantile amuse-
ments, ill suited to the temper of her
soul, now accustomed to grand ideas
and a noble emulation for virtue. The
prospect of marrying a Christian, and
remaining in a country where women
y Google
22 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
were allowed^ to take a rank in society,
was enchanting to her.
" The day for the execution of the
Turk was fixed ; but, on the night pre*
vious to it, he quitted his prison, and
before morning was distant many leagues
from Paris, Felix had procured pass*
ports in the name of his father, sister,
and himself. He had previously com-
municated his plan to the former, who
aided the deceit by quitting his house,
under the pretence of a journey, and
concealed himself, with his daughter, in
an obscure part of Paris.
** Felix conducted the fugitives through
France to Lyons, and across Mont Cenis
to Leghorn, where the merchant had
decided to wait a favourable opportunity
of passing into some part of the Turkish
dominions.
^' Safie resolved to remain with her
father until the moment of his depar«
y Google
THE MODlfiEN PROMETHEUS. St3
ture, before which time the Turk re-
newed his promise that she should be
united to his deliverer; and Felix re-
mained with them in expectation of
that event; and in the mean time he
enjoyed the society of the Arabian, who
exhibited towards him the simplest and
tenderest affection* They conversed with
One another through the means of an
interpreter, and sometimes with the in-
terpretation of looks ; and Safie sang to
him the divine airs of her native country.
*' The Turk allowed this intimacy to
take place, and encouraged the hopes
of tl^e youthful lovers, while in his
heart he had formed far othet plans.
He loathed the idea that his daughter
should be united to a Christian ; but he
feared the resentment of Felix, if he
should appear lukewarm ; for he knew
that he was still in the power of hi^
deliverer, if he should choose to betray
y Google
24 PRANKEKSTBtN i DR^
him to the Italian state which they io'^
habited. He revolved a thousand plans
by which he should be enabled to pro-
long the deceit until it might be no
longer necessary, and secretly to take his
daughter with him when he departed.
His plans were greatly facilitated by the
news which arrived from Paris.
** The government of France were
greatly enraged at the escape of their
victim, and spared no pains to detect
and punish his deliverer. The plot of
Felix was quickly discovered, and De
Lacey and Agatha were thrown into
prison. The news reached Felix, and
roused him from his dream of pleasure.
His blind and aged father, and his
gentle sister, lay in a noisome dungeon,
while he enjoyed the free air, and the
society of her whom he loved. This
idea was torture to him. He quickly
arranged with the Turk, that if the lat-
y Google
THE MODEEN PROMETHEUS. 35
ter should find a farourable opportu-
nity for escape before Felix could re-
turn to Italy, Safie should remain as a
boarder at a convent at Leghorn; and
then, quitting the lovely Arabian, he
hastened to Paris, and delivered him-
self up to the vengeance of the law,
hoping to free De Lacey and Agatha by
this proceeding.
** He did not succeed. They re-
mained confined for five months before
the trial took place ; the result of which
deprived them of their fortune, and con-
demned them to a perpetual exile from
their native country.
** They found a' miserable asylum in
the cottage in Germany, where I dis-
covered them. Felix soon learned that
the treacherous Turk, for whom he and
his family endured such unheard-of op-
pression, on discovering that his de-
liverer was thus reduced to poverty arid
VOL. II. c
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26 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
impotence^ became a traitor to good
feeling and honour, and had quitted
Italy with bis daughter, insultingly send-
ing Felix a pittance of money, to aid
him, as he said, in some plan of future
maintenance.
'' Such were the events that preyed
on the heart of Felix, and rendered
him, when I first saw him, the most
miserable of his family. He could
have endured poverty, and while this
distress had been the meed of his vir-
tue, he gloried in it: but the ingrati-
tude of the Turk, and the loss of his
beloved Safie, were misfortunes more
bitter and irreparable. The arrival of
the Arabian now infused new life into
his soul.
" When the news reached Leghorn,
that Felix was deprived of his wealth
and rank, the merchant commanded
his daughter to think no more of her
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 21
lover, but to prepare to return to her
native country. The generous nature
of Safie was outraged by this coniinand ;
she attempted to expostulate with her
father, but he left her angrily, reiterating
his tyrannical mandate.
'* A few days after, the Turk entered
his daughter's apartment, and told her
hastily, that he had reason to believe
that his residence at Leghorn had been
divulged, and that he should speedily
be delivered up to the French govern-
ment; he had, consequently, hired a
vessel to convey him to Constantinople,
for which city he should sail in a few
hours. He intended to leave his daugh-
ter under the care of a confidential
servant, to follow at her leisure with
the greater part of his property, which
had not yet arrived at Leghorn.
" When alone, Safie resolved in her
own mind the plan of conduct that it
c2
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28 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
would become her to pursue in this
emergency. A residence in Turkey was
abhorrent to her ; her religion and her
feelings were alike adverse to it. By
some papers of her father, ^hich fell
into her hands, she heard bf: the exile
of her lover, and learnt the name of
the spot where he then resided. She
hesitated some time, but at length she
formed her determination. Taking with
her some jewels that belonged to her,
and a small sum of money, she quitted
Italy, with an attendant, a native of
l^eghorn, but who understood the com-
mon language of Turkey, and departeij
for Germany.
" She arrived in safety at a town
about twenty leagues from the cottage
of De Lacey, when her attendant fell
dangerously ill. Safie nursed her with
the most devoted affection ; but • the
poor girl died, and the Arabian was
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 29
left alone^ unacquainted with the lan-
g-aage of the country, and utterly igno-
rant of the customs of the world. She
fell, however, into good hands. The
Italian had mentioned the name of the
spot for which they were bound; and,
after her death, the woman of the house
in which they had lived took care that
Safie should arrive in safety at the cot-
tage of her lover.
A
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so FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
CHAPTER III.
" StJCH was the history of my beloved
cottagers. It impressed me deeply. I
learned, from the views of social life
which it developed, to admire their vir-
tues, and to deprecate the vices of man-
kind.
" As yet I looked upon crime as a di-
stant evil ; benevolence and generosity
were ever present before me, inciting
within me a desire to become an actor
in the busy scene where so many ad-
mirable qualities were called forth and
displayed. But, in giving an account
of the progress of my intellect, I must
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 31
not omit a circumstance which occurred
in the beginning of the month of August
of the same year.
" One nighty during my accustomed
visit to the neighbouring wood, where
i collected my own food, and brought
home firing for my protectors, 1 found
on the ground a leathern portmanteau,
containing several articles of dress and
some books. I eagerly seized the prize,
and returned with it to my hovel. For-
tunately the books were written in the
language the elements of which I had
acquired at the- cottage; they con-
sisted of Paradise Lost, u volume of
Plutarch's LiveSy and the Sorrows of
Werter. The possession of these trea-
sures gave me extreme delight; I now
continually studied and exercised my
mind upon these histories, whilst my
friends were employed in their ordinary
occupations.
y Google
32 FRANKENSTEIN J OR,
" I can hawlly describe to you the
effect of these books, lliey produced
in me an infinity of new images and
feelings, that sometimes raised me to
ecstasy, but more frequently sunk me
into the lowest dejection. In the Sorrows^
of WerteVj besides the interest of its
simple and affecting story, so many
opinions are canvassed, and so many
lights thrown upon what had hitherto
been to me obscure subjects, that I
found in it a never-ending source of
speculation and astonishment. The
gentle and domestic manners it de-
scribed, combined with lofty sentiments
and feelings, which had for their ob-
ject something out of self, accorded well
with my experience among my pro-
tectors, and with the wants which were
for ever alive in my own bosom. But
I thought Werter himself a more di-
vine being than I had ever beheld or
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 33
imag-ined; his character contained no
pretension, but it sunk deep. The dis-
quisitions upon death and suicide were
calculated to fill me with wonder. I
did not pretend to enter into the merits
of the case, yet I inclined towards the
opinions of the hero^ whose extinction
I wept, without precisely understand-
ing it.
'* As I read, however, I applied
much personally to my own feelings
and condition. I found myself similar,
yet at the same time strangely unlike to
the beings concerning whom I read,
and to whose conyersation I was a
listener. I sympathized with, and partly
understood them, but I was unformed
in mind ; I was dependent on none,
and related to none. * The path of
my departure was free ;' and there was
none to lament my annihilieition. My
person was hideous, and my stature
c5
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34 FRANXSNSTBIN ; 0B»
gigantic : what did this mean ? Who
was I? What was I? Whence did I
come ? W hat was my destination ? These
questions continually recurred, but I
was unable to solve them.
" The volume of Plutarch's Lives
which I possessed contained the hi-
stories of the first founders of the an-
.cient republics. This book had a far
different effect upon me from the Sor^
row^ of fVerter. I learned from Wer-
ter's imaginations despondency and
gloom : but Plutarch taught me high
thoughts; he elevated me above the
wretched sphere of my own reflections,
to admire and love the heroes of past
ages. Many tMngs I read surpassed
my understanding and experience. I
had a very confused knowledge of king-
doms, wide extents of country, mighty
rivers, and boundless seas. But I was
perfectly unacquainted with towns, and
y Google
THE MODERN PEOMETHEUS. 25
large assemblages of men» The cot-
tage of my protectors had been the only
school in which I had studied human
nature; but this book developed new
and mightier scenes of action. I read
of men concerned in public affairs, go-
verning or massacring their species. I
felt the greatest ardour for virtue rise
within me, and abhoiTence for vice, as
far as I understood the signification of
those terms, relative as they were, as I
applied them, to pleasure and pain alone.
Induced by these feelings, I was of course
led to admire peaceable law-givers,
Numa, Solon, and Lycurgus, in pre-
ference to Romulus and Theseus. The
patriarchal lives of my protectors caused
these impressions to take a firm hold on
my mind ; perhaps, if my first introduc-
tion to humanity had been made by a
young soldier, burning for glory and
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36 FRANKENSTEIN; OB,
slaughter, I should have been imbued
with difTerent sensations.
" Biit Paradise Lost excited different
and. far deeper emotions. I read it, as I
had read the other volumes which had
fallen into my hands, as a true history.
It moved every feeling of wonder and
awe, that the picture of an omnipotent
God warring with his creatures was
capable of exciting. .1 often referred
the several situations, as their similarity
struck me, to my own. ' Like Adam, I
was apparently united by no link to any
other being in existence ; but his state
was far different from mine in every
other respect. He had come forth from
the hands of God a perfect creature,
happy and prosperous, guarded by the
especial care of bis Creator ; he was
allowed to converse with, and acquire
knowledge from beings of a superior
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 37
nature: but I was wretched, helpless,
and alone. Many times I considered
Satan as the fitter emblem of my con-
dition ; for often, like him, when I viewed
the bliss of my protectors, the bitter gall
of envy rose within me.
*' Another circumstance strengthened
and confirmed these feelings. Soon
after my arrival in the hovel, I dis-
covered some papers in the pocket of
the dress which I had taken from your
laboratory. At first I had neglected
them ; but now that I was able to de-
cypher the characters in which they
were written, I began to study them
with diligence. It was your journal of
the four months that preceded my crea-
tion. You minutely described in these
papers every step you took in the pro-
gress of your work ; this history was
mingled with accounts of domestic oc-
currences. You, doubtless, recollect
y Google
98 fbankekstein; or,
these papers. Here they are. Every
thing is related in them which bears
reference to my accursed origin; the
whole detail of that series of disgusting
circumstances which produced it is set
in view ; the minutest description of my
odious and loathsome person is given,
in language which painted your own
horrors, and rendered mine indelible.
I sickened as I read. ' Hateful day
when I received life!' I exclaimed in
agony. * Cursed creator ! Why did you
form a monster so hideous that e\enyou
turned from me in disgust ? God in pity
made man beautiful and alluring, after
his own image ; but my form is a filthy
type of yours, more horrid even from
the very resemblance. Satan had his
companions, fellow-devils, to admire and
encourage him; but I am solitary and
detested.*
" These were the reflections of my
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 39
hours of despondency and solitude ; but
when I contemplated the virtues of the
cottagers, their amiable and benevolent
dispositions, I persuaded myself that
when they should become acquainted
with my admiration of their virtues,
they would compassionate me, and over-
look my personal deformity. Could they
turn from their door one, however mon-
strous, who solicited their compassion
and friendship ? I resolved, at least,
not to despair, but in every way to fit
myself for an interview with them which
would decide my fate. I postponed
this attempt for some months longler;
for the importance attached to its suc-
cess inspired me with a dread lest I
should fail. Besides, I found that my
understanding improved so much with
every day's experience, that I was un-
v^illing to commence this undertaking
until a few more months should have
added to my wisdom.
y Google
40 FRANKENSTEIN ; Oil,
*' Several changes, in the mean time,
took place in the cottage. The pre-
sence of Safie diffused happiness among
its inhabitants ; and I also found that a
greater degree of plenty reigned there.
Felix and Agatha spent more time in
amusement and conversation, and were
assisted in their labours by servants.
They did not appear rich, but they
were contended and happy; their feel-
ings were serene and peaceful, while
mine became every day more tumul-
tuous. Increase of knowledge only
discovered to me more clearly what a
wretched outcast I was. I cherished
hope, it is true ; but it vanished, when I
beheld my person reflected in water, or
my shadow in the moonshine, even
as that frail image and that inconstant
shade.
" I endeavoured to crash these fears,
and to fortify myself for the trial which
in a few months I resolved to undergo;
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 41
and sometimes 1 allowed my thoughts,
unchecked by reason, to ramble in the
fields of Paradise, and dared to fancy
amiable and lovely creatures sympa-
thiziag with my feelings and cheering
my gloom ; their angelic countenances
breathed smiles of consolation. But it
was all a dream; no Eve soothed my
soiTows, or shared my thoughts ; I was
alone. I remembered Adam's suppli-
cation to his Creator. But where was
mine? He had abandoned me, and, in
the bitterness of my heart, 1 cursed
him.
" Autumn passed thus. 1 saw, with
surprise and grief, the leaves decay and
fall, and nature again assume the barren
and bleak appearance it had worn
when I first beheld the woods and the
lovely moon. Yet I did not heed the
bleakness of the weather; I was better
fitted by my conformation for the en-,
durance of cold than heat. But my chief
y Google
42 FBANKENSTEIN ; OR,
delights were the sight of the flowere,
the birds, and all the gay apparel of
summer; when those deserted me, 1
turned with more attention towards the
cottagers. Their happiness was not
decreased by the absence of summer.
They loved, and sympathized with one
another; and their joys, depending on
each other, were not interrupted by
the casualties that took place around
them. The more I saw of them, the
greater became my desire to claim their
protection and kindness; my heart
yearned to be known and loved by
these amiable creatures: to see their
sweet looks turned towards me with
affection, was the utmost limit of my
ambition. I dared not think that they
would turn them from me with disdain
and horror. The poor that stopped at
their door were never driven away. I
asked, it is true, for greater treasures
than a little food or rest; I required
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 43
kindness and sympathy ; but I did not
believe myself utterly unworthy of it.
'' The winter advanced, and an entire
revolution of the seasons had taken
place since I awoke into life. My at-
tention^ at this time, was solely directed
towards my plan of introducing myself
into the cottage of my protectors. I re-
volved many projects; but that on
which I finally fixed was, to enter the
dwelling when the blind old man should
be alone. I had sagacity enough to
discover, that the unnatural hideous-
ness of my person was the chief object
of horror with those who had formerly
beheld me. My voice, although harsh,
bad nothing terrible in it ; I thought,
therefore, that if, in the absence of his
children, I could gain the good-will and
mediation of the old De Lacey,I might,
by his means, be tolerated by my
younger protectors.
y Google
44 FRAJf KBNSTEIN ; OR^
'* One day, when the sun shone on
the red leaves that strewed the ground,
and diffused cheerfulaess, although it
denied warmthi Safie, Agatha, and Fe-
Yix, departed on a long.. country walk,
and the old man, at his own desire, was
left alone in the cottage. When his
children had departed, he took up his
guitar, and played several mournful,
but sweet airs, more sweet and mournful
than I had ever heard him play l^efore.
At first his countenance was illuminated
with pleasure, but, as he continued,
thoughtfulness and sadness succeeded ;
at length, laying aside the instrument,
he sat absorbed in reflection..
** My heart beat quick; this was the
hour and moment of trial, which would
decide my hopes, or realize my fears.
The servants were gone to a neighbour-
ing fair. All was silent in aud around
the cottage : it was an excellent oppor-
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 45
tunity ; yet, when I proceeded to exe-
cute my plan, my limbs failed me, and
I sunk to the ground. Again I rose;
and, exerting all the firmness of which
I was master, removed the planks which
I had placed before my hovel to conceal
hiy retreat. The fresh air revived me,
and, with renewed determination, I ap-
proached the door of 4;heir cottage.
" I knocked. * Who is there ?* said
the old man — * Come in/
''I entered; * Pardon this intrusion/
said I, ' I am a traveller in want of a
little rest; you would gi'eatly oblige me,
if you would allow me to remain a few
roinutes before the fire.'
*' * Enter,' said De Lacey ; ' and I will
try in what manner I can relieve your
wants; but, unfortunately, my children
are from home, and, as I am blind, I
am afraid I shall find it difficult to pro-
cure food for you.'
y Google
46 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
'^ ' Do not trouble yourself, my kind
host, I have food ; it is warmth and rest
only that I need/
" I sat down, and a silence ensued •
I knew that every minute was precious
to me, yet I remained irresolute in what
manner to commence the interview ;
when the old man addressed me—
" ' By your language, stranger, I
suppose you are my countryman; — are
you French ?*
" 'No; but I was educated by a
French family, and understand that lan-
guage only. I am now going to claim
the protection of some friends, whom
I sincerely love, and of whose favour I
have some hopes.*
'^ * Are they Germans ?'
" * No, they are French. But let us
change the subject. I am an unfor-
tunate and deserted creature; I look
around, and I have no relation or friend
y Google
THE MODBRN FAOMETHCUS. 47
upon earth. These amiable people to
whom I go have never seen me, and
know little of me. I am full of feara;
for if I fail there, I am an outcast in the
world for ever.*
'' ' Do not despair. To be friendless
is indeed to be unfortunate; but the
hearts of men, when unprejudiced by
any obvious self-interest, are full of bro-
therly love and charity. Rely, therefore,
on your hopes; and if these friends are
good and amiable, do not despair.'
" ' They are kind — they are the
most excellent creatures in the world ;
but, unfortunately, they are prejudiced
against me. I have good dispositions;
my life has been hitherto harmless, and
in some degree beneficial; but a fatal
prejudice clouds their eyes, and where
they ought to see a feeling and kind
friend, they behold only a detestable
monster.'
y Google
48 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
'*' ' That is indeed unfortunate; but
if you are really blameless, cannot you
undeceive them ?*
^^ ' I am about to undertake that
task; and it is on that account that I
feel so many overwhelming terroi-s. I
tenderly love these friends; I have, un-
known to them, been for many months
in the habits of daily kindness towards
them; but they believe that I wish to
injure them, and it is that prejudice
which I wish to overcome/
'' '. Where do these friends reside ?'
'' ' Near this spot.*
^^ The old man paused, and then
continued, ' If you will unreservedly
confide to me the particulars of your
tale, I perhaps may be of use in un-
deceiving them. I am blind, and can-
not judge of your countenance, but
there is something in your words, which
persuades me that you are sincere. I
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 49
am poor, and an exile ; but it will afford
me true pleasure to be in any way ser-
viceable to a human creature/
** * Excellent man ! I tbank you, and
accept your generous offer. You raise
me from the dust by this kindness; and
I trust that, by your aid, I shall not be
driven from the society and sympathy
of your fellow-creatures/
'* ' Heaven forbid ! even if you were
really criininal ; for that can only drive
you to desperation, and not instigate
you to virtue. I also am unfortunate;
I and my family have been condemned,
although innocent: judge, therefore, if
I do not feel for your misfortunes.'
" * How can I thank you, my best
and only benefactor? from your lips
first have I heard the voice of kind-
ness directed towards me; I shall
be for ever grateful; and your pre-
sent humanity assures me of success
VOL. II. D
y Google
50 F&AMKSNSTEIM ; OB,
with those friends whom I am on the
point of meeting/
" ' May I know the names and resi-
dence of those friends ?'
" I paused. This, I thought, was
the moment of decision, which was to
rob me of, or bestow happiness on me
for ever. I struggled vainly for firm-
ness sufficient to answer him, but
the effort destroyed all my remaining
strength; I sank on the chair, and
sobbed aloud. At that moment I heard
the steps of my younger protectors. I
had not a moment to lose; but, seizing
the hand of the old man, I cried, ' Now
is the time! — save and protect me !
You and your family are the friends
whom I seek. Do not you desert me
in the hour of trial !*
" ' Great God V exclaimed the old
man, ^ who are you ?'
'' At that instant the cottage door
y Google
THE MOBE&K PROMETHEUS. 51
was opened^ and Felix, Safie, and Aga-
tha entered. Who can describe their
horror and consternation on beholding
me ? Agatha fainted ; and Safie, unable
to attend to her friend, rushed out of
the cottage. Felix darted forward, and
with supernatural force tore me from
his father, to whose knees I clung : in
a transport of fury, he dashed me to the
ground, and struck me violently with a
stick. I could have torn him limb from
limb, as the lion rends the antelope.
But my heart sunk within me as with
bitter sickness, and I refrained. I saw
him on the point of repeating his blow,
when, overcome by pain and anguish,
I quitted the cottage, and iu the gene-
ral tumult escaped unperceived to my
hovel.
D 2
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52 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
CHAPTER IV.
*^ Cursed, cursed creator! Why did
I live? Why, in that instant, did I
not extinguish the spark of existence
which you had so wantonly bestowed ?
I know not; despair had not yet taken
possession of me; my feelings were
those of rage and revenge. I could
with pleasure have destroyed the cot-
tage and its inhabitants, and have
glutted myself with their shrieks and
misery.
" When night came, I quitted my
retreat, and wandered in the wood;
and now, no longer restrained by the
y Google
THE MOI>ERN PROMETHEUS. 5S
fear of discovery, I gave vent to my
anguish in fearful howlings. I was like
a tvild beast that had broken the toils ;
destroying the objects that obstructed
me, and ranging through the wood with
a stag-like swiftness. Oh! what a
miserable night I passed ! the cold stars
shone in mockery, and the bare trees
waved their branches above me : now
and then the sweet voice of a bird burst
forth amidst the universal stillness.
All, save I, were at rest or in enjoyment :
I, like the arch fiend, bore a hell within
me; and, finding myself unsympa-
thized with, wished to tear up the trees,
spread havoc and destruction around
me, and then to have sat down and
enjoyed the ruin.
" But this was a luxury of sensation
that could not endure; I became fa-
tigued with excess of bodily exertion,
and sank on the damp grass in the
y Google
54 lHANKEKSTEm; OR, ^
sick impotence of despair. There was
none among the myriads of men that
existed who would pity or assist me;
and should I feel kindness towards my
enemies? No: from that moment I
declared everlasting war against the
species, and, more than all, against
him who had formed me, and sent me
forth to this insupportable misery.
" The sun rose ; I heard the voices
of men, and knew that it was impos-
sible to return fo my retreat during
that day. Accordingly I -hid myself in
some thick underwood, determining to
devote the ensuing hours to reflection
on my situation.
'^ The pleasant sunshine, and the
pure air of day, restored me to some
degree of tranquillity; and when I
considered what had passed at the cot-
tage, I could not help believing that I
had been too hasty in my conclusions.
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 55
I had certainly acted ioaprudently. It
was apparent that my conversation had
interested the father in my behalf, and
I was a fool in having exposed my
person to the hprror of his children.
I ought to have familiarized the old
De Lacey to me, and by degrees to have
discovered myself to the rest of his
family, when they should have been
prepared for my approach. But I did
not believe my errors to be irretriev-
able; and, after much consideration,
I resolved to return to the cottage, seek
the old man, and by my representa^
tions win him to my party.
'^ These thoughts calmed me, and in
the afternoon I sank into a profound
sleep; but the fever of my blood did
not allow me to be visited by peaceful
dreams. The horrible scene of the
preceding day was for ever acting be-
fore my eyes; the females were flying.
y Google
56 FRANKENSTEIN ; OR,
and the enraged Felix tearing me from
bis father's feet. I awoke exhausted ;
and, finding that it was already night,
I crept forth from my hiding-place, and
went in search of food.
** When my hunger was appeased, I
directed my steps towards the well-
known patli that conducted to the cot-
tage. All there was at peace. I crept
into my hovel, and remained in siTent
expectation of the accustomed hour
when the family arose. That hour past,
the sun mounted high in the heavens,
but the cottagers did not appear. I
trembled violently, apprehending some
dreadful misfortune. The inside of
the cottage was dark, and I heard no
motion; I cannot describe the agony
of this suspense.
'* Presently two countrymen passed
by ; but, pausing near the cottage, they
entered into conversation, using violent
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. SI
gesticulations; but I did not understand
what they said, as they spoke the lan-
guage of the country, which differed
from that of niy protectors. Soon after,
however, Felix approached with an-
other man: I was surprised, ad I knew
that he had not quitted the cottage that
morning, and waited anxiously to dis-
cover, from his discourse, the meaning
of these unusual appearances.
" ' Do you consider,' said his com-
panion to him, * that you will be obliged
to pay three months' rent, and to lose
the produce of your garden ? I do not
wish to take any unfair advantage, and
I beg therefore that you will take some
days to consider of your determina-
tion.*
" * It is utterly useless,' replied Fe-
lix, ' we can never again inhabit your
cottage. , The life of my father is in
the greatest danger, owing to the dread-
d5
y Google
58 fra:nkbnstein ; or,
fal circnmstance that I have related.
My ^ife and my sister will neva- re-
cover their horror. I entreat you not to
reason with me any more. Take pos-
session of your tenement, and let me fly
from this place/
" Felix trembled violently as he said
this. He and his companion entered
the cottage, in which they remained
for a few minutes, and thai departed.
I never saw any of the lamily of De Lacey
more.
" I continued for the remainder of
the day in my hovel in a state of utter
and stupid despair. My protectors had
departed, and had broken the only link
that held me to the world. For the first
time the feelings of revenge and hatred
filled my bosom, and I did not strive
to control them ; but, allowing myself
to be borne away by the stream, I bent
my mind towards injury and death.
y Google
THE MODERN PBQMETHEUS. 59
When I thought of my friends, of the
mild voice of De Lacey, the gentle
eyes of Agatha, and the exquisite
beauty of the Arabian, these thoughts
vanished, and a gush of tears some-
what soothed me. But again, when
I reflected that they had spurned and
deserted me, anger returned, a rage of
anger; and, unable to injure any thing
human, I turned my, fury towards inani-
mate objects. As night advanced, I
placed a variety of combustibles around
the cottage; and, after having destroyed
every vestige of cultivation in the gar-
den, I waited with forced impatience
until the moon had sunk to commence
my operations.
" As the night advanced, a fierce
wind arose from the woods, and quickly
dispersed the clouds that had loitered
in the heavens: the blast tore along
like a mighty avel^nche^ and produced
y Google
60 FRANKENSTEIN; OR^
a kind of insanity in my spirits, that
burst all bounds of reason and reflec-
tion, I lighted the dry branch of a
tree, and danced with fury around the
devoted cottage, my eyes still fixed on
the western horizon, the edge of which
the moon nearly touched. A part of
its orb was at length hid, and I waved
my brand ; it sunk, and, with a loud
scream, I fired the straw, and heath, and
bushes, which I had collected. The
wind fanned the fire, and the cottage was
quickly enveloped by the flames, which
clung to it, and licked it with their
forked and destroying tongues.
^^ As soon as I was convinced that
no assistance could save any part of the
habitation, I quitted the scene, and
sought for refuge in the woods.
** And now, with the world before
me, whither should I bend my steps ? I
resolved to fly far from the scene of my
y Google '
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 61
misfortunes ; but to me, hated and fle-
spised, every country must be equally
horrible. At length the thought of
you crossed my mind. I learned from
your papers that -you were my father,
ray creator ; and to whom could I apply
with more fitness than to him who bad
given me life ? Among the lessons that
Felix had bestowed upon Safie geogra-
phy had not been omitted : I had learned
from these the relative situations of the
different countries of the earth. You
had mentioned Geneva as the name of
your native town j and towards this place
I resolved to proceed.
'^ But how was I to direct myself?
I knew that I must travel in a south-
westerly direction to reach my destina-
tion ; but the sun was my only guide.
I did not know, the names of the towns
that I was to pass through, nor could
I ask information from a single human
y Google
6S FRANKENSTEIN; OR|
being ; but I did not despair. From
you only could I hope for succour, al-
though towards you I felt no sentiment
but that of hatred. Unfeeling, heart-
less creator ! you had endowed me with
perceptions and passions, and then cast
me abroad an object for the scorn and
horror of mankind. But on you only
had I any claim for pity and redress, and
from you I determined to seek that jus-
tice which I vainly attempted to gain
from any other being that wore the hu-
man form.
" My ti-ayels were long, and the suf-
ferings I endured intense. It was late
in autumn when I quitted the district
where I had so long resided. I tra-
velled only at night, fearful of encoun-
tering the visage of a human being.
Nature decayed around me, and the
sun became heatless ; rain and snow
poured around me ; mighty rivers were
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 63
frozen ; the surface of the earth was
hard, and chill, and bare, and I found no
shelter. Oh, earth ! how often did I im-
precate curses on the canse of my being !
The mildness of my nature had fled,
and all within me was turned to gall and
bitterness. The nearer I approached to
your habitation, the more deeply did I
feel the spirit of revenge enkindled in
my heart. Snow fell, and the waters
were hardened, but I rested not. A
few incidents now and then directed
me, and I possessed a map of the coun-
try; but I often wandered wide from
my path. The agony of my feelings
allowed me no respite: no incident
occurred from which my rage and mi-
sery could not extract its food ; but a
circumstance that happened when I
arrived on the confines of Switzerland,
when the sun had recovered its warmth,
and the earth again began to look
y Google
64 FRANKENSTEIN; ORj
green, confirmed in an especial man-
ner the bitterness and horror of my
feelings.
" I generally rested during the day,
and travelled only when I was secured
by night from the view of man. One
morning, however, finding that my
path lay through a deep wood, I ven-
tured to continue my journey after the
sun had risen ; the day, which was one
of the first of spring, cheered even me
by the loveliness of its sunshine and
the balminess of the air. I felt emo-
tions of gentleness and pleasure, that
had long appeared dead, revive within
me. Half surprised by the novelty of
these sensations, I allowed myself to be
borne away by them; and, forgetting
my solitude and deformity, dared to be
happy. Soft tears again bedewed my
cheeks, and I even raised my humid
eyes with thankfulness towards the
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 65
blessed sun which bestowed sucli joy
upon me.
" I continued to wind among the
paths of the wood, until I came to its
boundary, which was skirted by a deep
and rapid river, into which many of the
trees bent their branches, now budding
with the fresh spring. Here I paused,
not exactly knowing what path to pur-
sue, when I heard the sound of voices,
that induced me to conceal myself un-
der the shade of a cypress. I was
scarcely hid, when a young girl came
running towards th^ spot v;h€re I mt»
concealed, laughing as if she ran from
some one in sport. She continued her
course along the precipitous sides of
the river, when suddenly her foot slipt,
and she fell into the rapid stream. I
rushed from my hiding-place, and, with
extreme labour from the force of the
current, saved her, and dragged her
y Google
66 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
to shore. She was senseless; and I
endeavoured, by every means in my
power, to restore animation, when I
was suddenly interrupted by the ap-
proach of a rustic, who was probably
the person from whom she had play-
fully fled. On seeing me, he darted
towards me, and, tearing the girl from
my arms, hastened towards the deeper
parts of the wood. I followed speedily,
I hardly knew why ; but when the man
saw me draw near, he aimed a gun,
which he carried, at my body, and fired.
I sunk te the gfrcuiid, and my injorer,
with increased swiftness, escaped into
the wood.
" This was then the reward of my
benevolence! I had saved a human
being from destruction, and, as a re-
compense, I now writhed under the
miserable pain of a wound, which shat-
tered the flesh and bone. The feelings
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 67
of kindness and gentleness, which I had
entertained but a few moments before,
gave place to hellish rage and gnash-
i ng of teeth. Inflamed by pain, I vowed
eternal hatred and vengeance to all
mankind. But the agony of my wound
overcame me ; my pulses paused, and I
fainted.
*' For some weeks I led a miserable
life in the woods, endeavouring to cure
the wound which I had received. The
ball had entered my shoulder, and I
knew not whether it had remained there
or passed through; at any rate I bad
no means of extracting it. My suffer-
ings were augmented also by theoppres*
sive sense of the injustice and ingra-
titude of their infliction. My daily vows
rose for revenge — a deep and deadly re-
venge, such as would alone compensate
for the outrages and anguish I had en-
dured.
y Google
68 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
" After some weeks my wound healed,
and I continued my journey. ^ The la-
bours I endured were no longer to be
alleviated by the bright sun or gentle
breezes of spring; all joy was but a
mockery, which insulted my desoJate
state, and made me feel more painfully
that I was not made for the enjoymeat of
pleasure.
" But my toils now drew near a close;
and, in two months from this time, I
reached the environs of Geneva.
" It was evening when I arrived, and
I- retired to a hiding-place among the
fields that surround it, to meditate in
what manner I should apply to you. I
was oppressed by fatigue and hunger,
and far too unhappy to enjoy the gentle
breezes of evening, or the prospect of
the sun setting behind the stupendous
mountains of Jura.
'* At this time a slight sleep relieved
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 69
me from the pain of reflection, which
was disturbed by the approach of a
beautiful child, who came runnling into
the recess I had chosen, with all the
sportiveness of infancy. Suddenly, as
I gazed 6n him, an idea seized me, that
this little creature was unprejudiced,
and had lived too short a time to have
imbibed a horror of deformity. If,
therefore, I could seize him, and edu-
cate him as my companion and friend,
I should not be so desolate in this peo-
pled earth.
" Urged by this impulse, I seized on
the boy as he passed, and drew him to-
wards me. As soon as he beheld my
form, he placed his hands before his
eyes, and uttered a shrill scream: I
drew his hand forcibly from his face,
and said, ^ Child, what is the meaning
of this ? I do not intend to hurt you ;
listen to me.'
y Google
70 F&AMJC£ll8T£iN; OR,
'^ He Struggled violently ; ^ Let me
go/ he cried; ' monster! ugly wretch!
you wish to eat me, and tear me to
pieces — ^You are an ogre — Let me go,
or I will tell my papa.'
" * Boy, you will never see your father
again ; you must come with me/
** * Hideous monster! let me go. My
papa is a Syndic — he is M. Franken-
stein — he will punish you. You dare
not keep me.'
^' ^ Frankenstein! you belong then
to my enemy — to him towards whom I
have sworn eternal revenge; you shall
be my first victim/
^' The child still struggled, and loaded
me with epithets which carried despair
to my heart: I grasped his throat to
silence him, and in a moment he lay
dead at my feet.
'^ I gazed on my victim, and my
heart swelled with exultation and hell-
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 71
iah triumph : clapping my hands, I ex-
claimed, ^ I, too, can create desolation ;
my enemy is not impregnable; this
death will carry despair to him, and a
thousand other miseries shall torment
and destroy him/
*' As I fixed my eyes on the child, I
saw something glittering on his breast.
I took it; it was a portrait of a most
lovely woman. In spite of my malig-
nity, it softened and attracted me. For
a few moments I gazed with delight on
her dark eyes, fringed by deep lashes,
and her lovely lips; but presently my
rage returned : I remembered that I
waa for ever deprived of the delights
that such beautiful creatures could be-
stow; and that she whose resemblance
I ccHitemplated would, in regarding me,
have changed that air of divine benig-
nity to one expressive of disgust and
affright.
y Google
7S FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
" Can you wonder that such thoughts
transported me with rage? I only
wonder that at that moment, instead of
venting my sensations in exclamations
and agony, I did not rush among man-
kind, and perish in the attempt to de-
stroy them.
" While I was overcome by these
feelings, I left the spot where I had
x;ommitted the murder, and was seeking
a more secluded hiding-place, when I
perceived a woman passing near me.
She was young, not indeed so beautiful
as her whose portrait I held, but of an
agreeable aspect, and blooming in the
loveliness of youth and health. Here,
I thought, is one. of those whose smiles
are bestowed on all but me; she shall
not escape: thanks to the lessons of
Felix, and the sanguinary laws of man,
I have learned how to work mischief. I
approached her unperceived, and placed
y Google
THE MODERN FBOMETHEUS. 73
the portrait securely in one of the folds
of her dress.
" For some days I haunted the spot
where these scenes had taken place;
sometimes wishing to see you, some-
times resolved to quit the world and its
miseries for ever. At length I wan-
dered towards these mountains, and
have ranged through their immense re-
cesses, consumed by a burning passion
which you alone can gratify. We may
not part until you have promised to
comply with my requisition. I am
alone, and miserable ; man will not as-
sociate with me ; but one as deformed
and horrible as myself would not deny
herself to me. My companion must be
of the same species, and. have the same
defects. This being you must create.**
VOL. II. B
y Google
74 FRANKENSTEIN; ^B,
CHAPTER V.
The being finished speaking, and
fixed his looks upon me in expectation
of a repty. But I was bewildered,
perplexed, and unable to arrange my
ideas sufficiently to understand the full
extent of his proposition. He con-
tinued —
" You must create a female for me,
with whom I can live in the inter-
change of those sympathies necessary
for my being. This you alone can do ;
and I demand it of you as a right which
you must not refuse to concede."
The latter part of his tale had kin-
dled anew in me the anger that had
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 75
died away while he narrated his peace-
ful life among the cottagers, and, asr he
said this, I could no longer suppress the
rage that burned within me.
" I do refuse it/' I replied ; " and no
torture shall ever extort a consent from
me. You may render me the most
miserable of men, but you shall never
make me base in my own eyes. Shall
I create another like yourself, whose
joint wickedness might desolate the
world. Begone ! I have answered you ;
you may torture me, but I will never
consent.'*
*' You are in the wrong,'' replied the
fiend ; ^^ and, instead of threatening, I
am content to reason with you. I am
malicious because I am miserable. Am
I not shunned and hated by all man-
kind ? You, my creator, would tear me
to pieces, and triumph ; remember that,
and tell me why I should pity man
e2
y Google
76 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
more than he pities me ? You would
not call it murder, if you could precipi-
tate me into one of those ice-rifts, and
destroy my frame, the work of your
own hands. Shall I respect man, when
he contemns me? Let him live with
me in the interchange of kindness ; and,
instead of injury, I would bestow every
benefit upon him with tears of grati-
tude at his acceptance. But that can-
not be; the human senses are insur-
mountable barriers to our union. Yet
mine shall not be the submission of
abject slavery. J will revenge my in-
juries: if I cannot inspire love, I will
cause fear ; and chiefly - towards you
my arch-enemy, because my creator, do
I swear inextinguishable hatred. Have
a care: I will work at your destruc-
tion, nor finish until I desolate your
heart, so that you shall curse the hour
of your birth/'
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 77
' A fiendish rage animated him as he
said this; his face was wrinkled into
contortions too horrible for human eyes
to behold ; but presently he calmed
himself, and proceeded —
"I intended to reason. This passion
is detrimental to mej for you do not
reflect that ^ow are the cause of its
excess. If any being felt emotions of
benevoleiice towards me, I should re-
turn them an hundred and an hundred
fold ; for that one creature's sake, I
would make peace with the whole kind !
But I now indulge in dreams of bliss
that cannot be realized. What I ask
of you is reasonable and moderate ; I
demand a creature of another sex, but
as hideous as myself; the gratification
is small, but it is all that I can receive,
and it shall content me. It is true, we
shall be monsters, cut off from all the
world ; but on that account we shall be
y Google
78 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
more attached to one another. Our
lives will not be happy, but they will be
harmless, and free from the misery I
now feel. Oh ! my creator, make me
happy; let me feel gratitude towards
you for one benefit! Let me see
that I excite the sympathy of some
existing thing ; do not deny me my re-
quest!'*
I was moved. I shuddered when I
thought of the possible consequences
of my consent ; but I felt that there was
some justice in his argument. His
tale, and the feelings he now expressed,
proved him to be a creature of fine sen-
sations; and did I not as his maker,
owe him all the portion of happiness
that it was in my power to bestow ? He
saw my change of feeling, and con-
tinued —
" If you consent., neither you nor any
other human being shall ever see us
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 7d
again: I will go to the vast wilds of
South America. My food is not that of
man J I do not destroy the lamb and
the kid to glut my appetite; acorns
and berries afford me sufficient nourish-
nient. My companion will be of the
same nature as myself, and will be
content with the same fare. We shall
make our bed of dried leaves ; the sun
will shine on us as on man, and will
ripen our food. The picture I present
to you is peaceful and human, and you
must feel that you could deny it only in
the wantonness of power and cruelty.
Pitiless as you have been towards me,
I now see compassion in your eyes ; let
me seize the favourable moment, and
persuade you to promise what I so ar-
dently desire."
'' You propose/' replied I, " to fly
from the habitations of man, to dwell
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80 FRANKENSTEIN; OE,
in those wilds where the beasts of the
field will be your only companions.
How can you, who long for the love
and sympathy of man, persevere in this
exile? You will return, and again
seek their kindness, and you will meet
with their detestation ; your evil pas-
sions will be renewed, and you will then
have a companion to aid you in the task
of destruction. This may not be : cease
to argue the point, for I cannot con*
sent/'
" How inconstant are your feelings !
but a moment ago you were moved by
my representations, and why do you
again harden yourself to my com-
plaints? I swear to you, by the eartU
which I inhabit, and by you that made
me, that, with the companion you
bestow, I will quit the neighbour-
hood of man, and dwell, as it may
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 81
ohance, in the most savage of places.
My evil passions will have fled, for I shall
meet with sympathy ! my life will flow
quietly away, and, in my dying moments,
I shall not curse my maker/'
His words had a strange effect upon
me. I compassionated him, and some-
times felt a wish to console him ; but
when I looked upon him, when I saw
the filthy mass that moved and talked,
my heart sickened, and my feelings
were altered to those of horror and
hatred. I tried to stifle these sensa-
tions ; I thought, that as I could not
sympathize with him, I had no right to
withhold from him the small portion of
happiness which was yet in my power
to bestow.
" You swear,"' I said, " to be harm-
less ; but have you not already shown a
degree of malice that should reason-
£ 5
r
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82 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
ably make me distrust yoii ? May not
even this be a feint that will increase
your triumph by affording a wider
scope for your revenge/*
" How is this ? I must not be trifled
with; and I demand an answer. If I have
no ties and no affections, hatred and
vice must be my portion ; the love of
another wiil destroy the cause of my
crimes, and I shall become a thing, of
whose existence every one will be igno-
rant. My vices are the children of a
forced solitude that I abhor; and mv
virtues will necessarily arise w"hen I live
in communion with an equal. I shall
feel the affections of a sensitive being,
and become linked to the chain of ex-
istence and events, from which I am
now excluded."
I paused some time to reflect on all
he had related, and the various argu-
y Google
THE MODEEN PROMETHEUS. 83
ments which he had employed. I thought
of the promise of virtues which he had
displayed on the opening of his existence,
and the subsequent blight of all kindly
feeling by the loathing and scorn which
his protectors had manifested towards
him. His power and threats were not
omitted in my calculations : a creature
who could exist in the ice-caves of the
glaciers, and hide himself from pursuit
among the ridges of inaccessible preci-
pices, was a being possessing faculties
it would be vain to cope with. After a
long pause of reflection, I concluded
that the justice due both to him and my
fellow-creatures demanded of me that I
should comply with his request. Turn-
ing to him, therefore, I said —
*' I consent to your demand, on your
solemn oath to quit Europe for ever,
and every other place in the neighbour*
y Google
84j FRANKENSTEIN; OE,
hood of man, as soon as I shall deliver
into your hands a female who will ac-
company you in your exile/'
** I swear/' he cried, " by the sun,
and by the blue sky of heaven, that if
you grant my prayer, while they exist
you shall never behold me again. De-
part to your home, and commence your
labours: I shall watch their progress
with unutterable anxiety ; and fear not
but that when you are ready I shall
appear/'
Saying this, he suddenly quitted me,
fearful, perhaps, of any change in my
sentiments. I saw him descend the
mountain with greater speed than the
flight of an eagle, and quickly lost him
among the undulations of the sea of ice.
His tale had occupied the whole day;
and the sun was upon the verge of the
horizon when he departed. I knew
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THE MOBERN PROMETHEUS. 85
that I ought to hasten my descent to-
wards the valley, as I should soon be
encompassed in darkness ; but my heart
was heavy, and my steps slow. The
labour of winding among the little
paths of the mountains, and fixing my
feet firmly as I advanced, perplexed
me, occupied as I was by the emotions
which the occurrences of the day had
produced. Night was far advanced,
when I came to the half-way resting-
place, and seated myself beside the
fountain. The stars shone at intervals,
as the clouds passed from over them ;
the dark pines rose before me, and
every here and there a broken tree lay
on the ground: it was a scene of won-
derful solemnity, and stirred strange
tliougbts within me. I wept bitterly;
and, clasping my hands in agony, I
exclaimed, " Oh ! stars, and clouds,
and winds, ye are all about to mock
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86 FRANKENSTEIN; OB,
me : if ye really pity me, crush sensa-
tion and memory; let me become as
nought ; but if not, depart, depart and
leave me in darkness.**
These were wild and miserable
thoughts ; but I cannot describe to you
how the eternal twinkling of the stars
weighed upon me, and how I listened to
every blast of wind, as if it were a dull
ugly siroc on its way to consume me.
Morning dawned before I arrived at
the village of Chamounix; but my pre-
sence, so haggard and strange, hardly
calmed the feiirs of my family, who had
waited the whole night in anxious ex-
pectation of my return.
The following day we returned to
Geneva. The intention of my father
in coming had been to divert my mind,
and to restore me to my lost tranquillity;
but the medicine had been fatal. And,
unable to account for the excess of
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 87
misery I appeared td suffer, he hastened
to return home, hoping the quiet and
monotony of a domestic life would by
degrees alleviate my sufferings from
whatever cause they might spring.
For myself, I was passive in all their
arrangements; and the gentle affection
of my beloved Elizabeth was inade-
quate to draw me from the depth of my
despair. The promise 1 had made to
the daemon weighed upon my mind,
like Dante's iron cowl on the heads of
the hellish hypocrites. All pleasures
of earth and sky passed before me like
a dream, and that thought only had to
me the reality of life. Can you wonder,
that sometimes a kind of insanity pos-
sessed me, or that I saw continually
about me a multitude of filthy ani-
^ mals inflicting on me incessant torture,
that often extorted screams and bitter
groans ?
y Google
88 FRANKENSTEIN; OR>
By degrees, however, these feelings
became calmed. I entered again into
the every-day scene of life, if not with
interest, at least with some degree of
tranquillity.
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 89
CHAPTER VI.
Day after day, week after week, passed
away on my return to Geneva; and I
could not collect the courage to recom-
mence my work, I feared the vengeance
of the disappointed fiend, yet I was
unable to overcome my repugnance to
the task which was enjoined me, I
found that I could not compose a fe-
male without again devoting several
months to profound study and labo-
rious disquisition, I had heard of
some discoveries having been made by
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90 FBANKENSTEIN ; OR,
an English philosopher, the knowledge
of which was material to my success,
and I sometimes thought of obtaining
my father's consent to visit England
for this purpose; but I clung to every
pretence of delay, and could not resolve
to interrupt my returning tranquillity.
My health, which had hitherto declined,
was now much restored; and my spi-
rits, when unchecked by the memory of
my unhappy promise, rose proportion-
ably. My father saw this change with
pleasure, and he turned his thoughts
towards the best method of eradicating
the remains of my melancholy, which
every now and then would return by
fits, and with a devouring blackness
overcast the approaching sunshine. At
these moments I took refuge in the
most perfect solitude. I passed whole
days on the lake alone in a little boat,
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 91
watching the clouds^ and listening to
the rippling of the waves, silent and
listless. But the fresh air and bright
sun seldom failed to restore me to some
degree of composure; and, on my re-
turn, I met the salutations of my friends
with a readier smile and a more cheer-
ful hearty
It was after my return from one of
these rambles that my father, callings
me aside, thus addressed me : —
" I am happy to remark, my dear
son, that you have resumed your former
pleasures, and seem to be returning to
yourself. And yet you are still un-
happy, and still avoid our society. For
some time I was lost in conjecture as
to the cause of this ; but yesterday an
idea struck me, and if it is well founded,
I conjure you to avow it. Reserve on
such a point would be pot only use-*
y Google
92 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
less, but draw down treble misery on us
all/*
I trembled violently at this exordium,
and my father continued —
*' I confess, my son, that I have al-
ways looked forward to your marriage
with your cousin as the tie of our do-
mestic comfort, and the stay of my de-
clining years. You were attached to
each other from your earliest infancy ;
you studied together, and appeared, in
dispositions and tastes, entirely suited
to one another. But so blind is the
experience of man, that what I con-
ceived to be the best assistants to my
plan may have entirely destroyed it.
You, perhaps, regard her as your sister,
without any wish that she might be-
come your wife. Nay, you may have
met with another whom you may love ;
and, considering yourself as bound in
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 98
honour to your cousin, this struggle
may occasion the poignant misery which
you appear to feel/'
" My dear father, re-assure yourself.
1 love my cousin tenderly and sincerely.
I never saw any woman, who excited,
as Elizabeth does, my warmest admira-
tion and affection. My future hopes
and prospects are entirely bound up in
the expectation of our union.'*
" The expression of your sentiments
on this subject, my dear Victor, gives
me more pleasure than I have for some
time experienced. If you feel thus,
we shall assuredly be happy, however
present events may cast a gloom over
us. But it is this gloom which ap-
pears to have taken so strong a hold of
your mind, that I wish to dissipate.
Tell me, therefore, whether you object
to an immediate solemnization of the
marriage. We have been unfortunate,
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94 FRANK£NST£XN ; 0R»
and recent events have drawn us from
that every-day tranquillity befitting my
years and infirmities. You are younger ;
yet I do not suppose, possessed as you
are of a competent fortune, that an
early marriage would at all interfere
with any future plans of honour and
utility that you may have formed. Do
not suppose, however, that I wish to
dictate happiness to you, or that a delay
on your part would cause me any se-
rious uneasiness. Interpret my words
with candour, and answer me, I con.
jure you, with co^dence and sincerity/*
I listened to my father in silence,
and remained for some time incapable
of offering any reply. I revolved rapidly
in my mind a multitude of thoughts,
and endeavoured to arrive at some con-
clusion, Alas ! tQ m^ the idea of an
immediate union with my cousin was
one of horror and dismay. I was bound
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. ^
by a solemn promise, which I had not
yet fulfilled, and dared not break; or,
if I did, what manifold miseries might
not impend over me and my devoted
family! Could I enter into a festival
with this deadly weight yet hanging
round my n^ck, and bowing me to the
ground. I must perform my engage-
ment, and let the monster depart with
his mate, before I allowed myself to en-
joy the delight of an union from which
I expected peace.
I remembered also the necessity im-
posed upon me of either journeying to
England, or entering into a long corre-
spondence with those philosophers of
that country, whose knowledge and dis-
coveries were of indispensable use to
me in my present undertaking. The
latter method of obtaining the desired
intelligence was dilatoiy and unsatis-
factory: besides, any variation was
y Google
96 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
agreeable to me, and I was delighted
with the idea of spending a year or two
in change of scene and variety of occu-
pation, in absence from my family;
during which period some event might
happen which would restore me to them
in peace and happiness: my promise
might be fulfilled, and the monster
have departed ; or some accident might
occur to destroy him, and put an end to
my slavery for ever.
These feelings dictated my answer to
my father. I expressed a wish to visit
England; but, concealing the true rea-
sons of this request, I clothed my de-
sires under the guise of wishing to
travel, and see the world before I sat
down for life within the walls of my na-
tive town,
I urged my entreaty with earnest-
ness, and my father was easily induced
to comply; for a more indulgent and
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS* 97
less dictatorial parent did not exist
upon earth. Our plan was soon ar-
ranged. I should travel to Strasburgh,
where Clerval would join me. Some
short time would be spent in the towns
of Holland, and our principal stay
would be in England. We should re-
turn by France; and it was agreed
that the tour should occupy the space
of two years.
My father pleased himself with the
reflection, that my union with Elizabeth
should take place immediately on my
return to Geneva. " These two years,'*
said he, " will pass swiftly, and it will
be the last delay, that will oppose itself
to your happiness. And, indeed, I
earnestly desire that period to arrive,
when we shall all be united, and nei-
ther hopes or fears arise to disturb our
domestic calm.'*
" I am content," I replied, ** with
VOL. II. F
Digitized by VjOOQIC
98 FRANKENSTEIN ; OR,
your arrangenient.. By that time we
shall both have- become wiser, and I
hope happier, than we at present are.*'
I sighed ; but my father kindly forbore
to question me further concerning- tlie
cause of my dejection. He hoped that
new scenes, and the amusement of tra-
velling, would restore my tranquillity,
I now made arrangements for my
journey; but one feeling haunted me,
which filled me with fear and agitation.
During my absence I should leave my
friends unconscious of the existence of
their enemy, and unprotected from his
attacks, exasperated as he might be by
my departure. But he had promised
to follow me wherever I might go ; and
would he not accompany me to Eng-
land? This imagination was dreadful
in itself, but soothing, inasmuch as it
supposed the safety of my friends. I
was agonized with the idea of the pes-
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THE MOBSRN PROMETHEUS. 99
nihility that the reverse of this tnight
happen. But through the whole period
during which I was the slave of my
creature, I allowed myself to be go-
verned by the impulses of the moment ;
and my present sensations strongly inti-
mated tihat the fiend would follow me,
and exempt my family from the danger
of his machinations.
It was in the latter end of August
that I departed, to pass two years of
exile. Elizabeth approved of the rea-
sons of my departure, and only re-
gretted that she had not the satne op-
portunities of enlarging her experience,
and cultivating her understanding. She
wept, however, as she bade me fare-
welU and entreated me to return happy
and tranquil. ** We all," said she,
" depend upon you ; and if you are
miserable, what must be our feel-
ings >''
f2
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100 FRANKENSTEIN; 0R|
I threw myself into the carriage that
was to convey me away, hardly know-
ing whither I was going, and careless
of what was passing around. I re-
membered only, and it was with a
bitter anguish that I reflected on it,
to order that my chemical instruments
should be packed to go with me: for
I resolved to fulfil my promise while
abroad, and return, if possible, a free
man. Filled with dreary imaginations,
I passed through many beautiful and
majestic scenes ; but my eyes were fixed
and unobserving. 1 could only think
of the bourne of my travels, and the
work which was to occupy me whilst
they endured.
After some days spent in listless indo-
lence, during which I traversed many
leagues, I arrived at Strasburgh, where I
-waited two days for Clerval. He came.
Alas, how great was the contrast between
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 101
US ! He was alive to every new scene ; joy-
ful when be saw the beauties of the set-
ting sun, and more happy when be beheld
it rise, and recommence a new day. He
pointed out to me the shifting colours
of the landscape, and the appearances
of the sky. " This is what it is to
live/' be cried, ** now I enjoy existence !
But you, my dear Frankenstein, wherei
fore are you desponding and sorrow,
ful!" In truth, I was occupied by
gloomy thoughts, and neither saw the
descent of the evening star, nor the
golden sun-rise reflected in the Rhine. —
And you, my friend, would be far more
amused with the journal of Clerval,
who observed the scenery with an eye of
feeling and delight, than in listening to
my reflections. I, a miserable wretch,
haunted by a curse that shiit up every
avenue to enjoyment.
We had agreed to descend the Rhine
Digitized by VjO(!)QIC
lOS frankshstein; or,
in a boat from Strasbiirgh to Rotte^
dam, whence we might take sbippiBg
for London. During this voyage, we
passed by many willowy islands, and
saw several beautiful towns. We staid
a day at Manbeim, and, on the fifth
from our departure from Strasburgb,
arrived at Mayence. The course of the
Rhine below Mayence becomes much
more picturesque. The river descends
rapidly, and winds between hills, not
high, but steep, and of beautiful forms^
We saw many ruined castles standing
on the edges of precipices, surrounded
by black woods, high and inaccessible*
This part of the Rhine, indeed, pre*
sents a singularly variegated landscape^
In one spot you view rugged hills,
ruined castles overlooking tremendous
precipices, with the dark Rhine rushing
beneath; and, on the sudden turn of a
promontory, flourishing vineyards^ with
yGoOgl
e-
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. lOS
green sloping banks, and a meandering
river, and populous towns, occupy the
scene.
We travelled at the time of the vint-
age, and heard the song of the la-
bourers, as we glided down the stream.
Even I, depressed in mind, and my
spirits continually agitated by gloomy
feelings, even I was pleased. I lay at
the bottom of the boat, and, as I gazed
on the cloudless blue sky, I seemed
to drink in a tranquillity to which I
had long been a stranger. And if these
vrere my sensations, who can describe
those of Henry ? He felt as if he had
been transported to Fairy-land, and en-
joyed a happiness seldom tasted by
man. " I have seen,'* he said, " the
most beautiful scenes of my own
country; I have visited the lakes of
Lucerne and Uri, where the snowy
mountains descend almost perpendicu-
Digitized by VjOOQIC
104 FRAN1CENSTEIN ; OB,
larly to the water, casting black and im-
penetrable shades, which would cause
a gloomy and mournful appearance,
were it not for the most verdant islands
that relieve the eye by their gay appear-
ance; I have seen this lake agitated
by a tempest, when the wind tore up
whirlwinds of water, and gave you an
idea of what the water-spout must be
on the great ocean, and the waves dash
with fury the base of the mountain,
where the priest and his mistress were
overwhelmed by an aveUnche; and
where their dyin^ voices are still said
to be heard amid th^ pauses of the
nightly wind; I have seen the moun-
tains of La Valais, and the Pays de
Vaud : but this country, Victor, pleases
me more than all those wonders. The
mountains of Switzerland are more
majestic and strange; but there is a
charm in the banks of this divine river,
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THE MODBBN PROMETHEUS. 105
that I never before saw equalled. Look
at that castle which overhangs yon pre-
cipice; and that also on the island, al-
most concealed amongst the foliage of
those lovely trees ; and now that group
of labourers coming from among their
vines ; and that village half hid in the
recess of the mountain. Oh, surely,
the spirit that inhabits and guards
this place has a soul more in har-
mony with man, than those who pile
the glacier, or retire to the inaccessible
peaks of the mountains of our own
country.**
Clerval ! beloved friend ! even now
it delights me to record your words, and
to dwell on the praise of which you are
so eminently deserving. He was a
being formed in the " very poetry of
nature.** His wild and enthusiastic
imagination was chastened by the sen-
sibility of his heart. His soul over-
F 5
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106 WtANKENSTEfN; OR,
flowed with ardent affections^ and hi»
friendship was of that devoted and won-
drous nature that the worldly-minded
teach us to look for only in the imagi-
nation. But even human sympathies
were not sufficient to satisfy his eager
mind. The scenery of external nature,
which others regard only with admira-
tion, he loved with ardour :
' " The sounding cataract
Haunted him like a passion : the tall rock»
The mountain, and the deep and gloomy wood>
Their colours and their forms, were then to him
An appetite ; a feeling, and a love.
That had no need of a remoter charm.
By thought supplied, or any interest
Unborrowed from the eye*.*'
And where does he now exist? Is
this gentle and lovely being lost for
ever ? Has this mind so replete with
• Wordsworth's Tintem Abbey.
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TH£ MOlDEHN I>aOBlSTH£tS. lOT
ideas, imaginations fanciful and mag-
nificent, which formed a world, whose
existence depended on the life of its
creator ; has this mind perished ? Does
it now only exist in my memory? No,
it is not thus; your form so divinely
wrought, and beaming with beauty,
has decayed, but your spirit still visits
and consoles your unhappy friend.
Pardon this gush of sorrow; these
ineffectual words are but a slight tribute
to the unexampled worth of Henry,
but they soothe my heart, overflowing
with the anguish which his remem*
brance creates. I will proceed with
my tale.
Beyond Cologne we descended to the
plains of Holland; and we resolved to
post the remainder of our way ; for the
wind was contrary, and the stream of
the river was too gentle to aid us.
Our journey here lost the interest
y Google
1(M3 franx£Kstein; or,
arising from beautiful scenery ; but we
arriyed in a few days at Rotterdam,
whence we proceeded by sea to Eng-
land. It was on a clear mording,
in the latter days of December, that I
first saw the white cliffs of Britain.
The banks of the Thames presented a
new scene; they were flat, but fertile,
and almost every town- was marked by
the remembrance of some story. , We
saw Tilbury Fort, and remembered the
Spanish armada; Gravesend, Woolwich,
and Greenwich, places which I had
heard of even in my country.
1 At length we saw the numerous
steeples of London, St. PauPs towering
above all, and the Tower famed in
English history.
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THE MOBBRN PROMETHEUS. 1()9
CHAPTER VII.
London was our present point of rest ;
we determined to remain several months
in this wonderful and celebrated city,
Clerval desired the intercourse of the
men of genius and talent who flou-
rished at this time ; but this was Mith
me a secondary object; I was princi-
pally occupied with the means of ob-
taining the information necessary for
the completion of my promise, and
quickly availed myself of the letters of
introduction that I had brought with
me, addressed to the most distinguished
natural philosophers.
If this journey had taken place during
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110 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
my days of study and happiness, it would
have afforded me inexpressible pleasure.
But a blight had come over my exist-
ence, and I only visited these people for
the sake of the information they might
give me on the subject in which my
interest was so terribly profound. Com-
pany was irksome to me; when alone,
I could fill my mind with the sights of
heaven and earth; the voice of Henry
soothed me, and I could thus cheat my-
self into a transitory peace. But busy
uninteresting joyous faces brought back
despair to my heart. I saw an insur-
mountable barrier placed between me
and my fellow men ; this barrier wag
sealed with the blood of William and
Justine ; and to reflect on the events
connected with those names filled in}
soul \vith anguish.
But in Clerval I saw the image of mj
former self; he was inquisitive, anc
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. Ill
anxious to gain experience and instruc-
tion. The difference of manners which
be observed was to him an inex-
haustible source of instruction and
amusement. He was for ever busy ; and
the only check to his enjoyments was
my sorrowful and dejected mind. I
tried to conceal this as much as pos*-
sible, that I might not debar him from
the pleasures natural to one, who was
entering on a new. scene of life, undis*
turbed by any care or bitter recollec-
tion. I often refused to accompany
him, alleging another engagement, that
I might remain alone. I now also be*
gan to collect the materials necessary
for my new creation, and this was to
me like the torture of single drops of
water continually falling on the head.
Every thought that was devoted to it
was an extreme anguish, and every
word that I spoke in allusion to it
y Google
US FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
caused my lips to quiver, and my heart
to palpitate.
After passing some months in Lon-
don, we received a letter from a person
in Scotland, who had formerly been
our visitor at Geneva. He mentioned
the beauties of his native country, and
^ked us if those were not sufficient
allurements to induce us to prolong
our journey as far north as Perth, where
he resided. Clerval eagerly desired to
accept this invitation ; and I, although
I abhorred society, wished to view
again mountains and streams, and all
the wondrous works with which Nature
adorns her chosen dwelling-places.
We had arrived in England at the
beginning of October, and it was now
February. We accordingly determined
to commence our journey towards the
north at the expiration of another
month. In this expedition we did not
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THE MODEEN PBOMSTHEUS. 118
intend to follow the great road to Edin-
burgh, but to visit Windsor, Oxford,
Matlock, and the Cumberland lakes,
resolving to arrive at the completion of
this tour about the end of July. I
packed up my chemical instruments, and
the materials I had collected, revolving
to finish my labours in some obscure
nook in the northern highlands of Scot-
land.
We quitted London on the 27th of
March, and remained a few days at
Windsor, rambling in its beautiful fo-
rest. This was a new scene to us moun-
taineers ; the majestic oaks, the quan-
tity of game, and the herds of stately
deer, were all novelties to us.
From thence we proceeded to Ox-
ford, As we entered this city, our minds
were filled with the remembrance of
the events that had been transacted
there more than a century and a half
Digitized by VjOOQIC
114 PEANXENSTEIN ; OR»
before. It was here tbat Charles I.
had collected his forces. This city had
remained faithful to him, after the whole
nation had forsaken his cause to join
the standard of parliament and liberty.
The memory of that unfortunate king,
and his companions, the amiable Falk-
land, the insolent Goring, his queen,
and son, gave a peculiar interest to
every part of the city, which they might
be supposed to have inhabited. The
spirit of elder days found a dwelling
here, and . we delighted to trace its
footsteps. If these feelings had not
found an imaginary gratification, the
appearance of the city had yet in itself
sufficient beauty to obtain our admira-
tion. The colleges are ancient and
picturesque ; the streets are almost mag-
nificent; and the lovely Isis, which
flows beside it through meadows of ex*
quisite verdure, is spread forth into a
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. THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 115
placid expanse of waters, which reflects
its majestic assemblage of towers, and
spires, and domes, embosomed among
aged trees.
I enjoyed this scene ; and yet my en-
joyment was embittered both by the
memory of the past, and the anticipa-
tion of the future. I was formed for
peaceful happiness. During my youth-
ful days discontent never visited my
mind ; and if I was ever overcome by
ennui, the sight of what is beautiful in
nature, or the study of what is excellent
and sublime in the productions of man,
could always interest my heart, and
communicate elasticity to my spirits*
But I am a blasted tree ; the bolt has
entered my soul ; and I felt then that I
should survive to exhibit, what I shall
soon cease to be — a miserable spectacle
of wrecked humanity, pitiable to others,
and intolerable to myself.
y Google
116 FRANKENSTEIN; OB9
We passed a considerable period at
Oxford, rambling among its environs,
and endeavouring to identify every spot
which might relate to the most ani-
mating epoch of English history. Our
little voyages of discovery were often
prolonged by the successive objects that
presented themselves. We visited the
tomb of the illustrious Hampden, and
the field on which that patriot fell. For
a imoment my soul was elevated from
its debasing and miserable fears to con-
template the divine ideas of liberty and
self sacrifice, of which these sights were
the monuments and the remembrancers.
For an instant I dared to shake off my
chains, and look around me with a free
and lofty spirit ; but the iron had eaten
into my flesh, and I sank again, trem-
bling and hopeless, into my miserable
self.
We left Oxford with regret, and pro-
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 117
ceeded to Matlock, which was our next
place of rest. The country in the neigh-
bourhood of this village resembled, to a
-greater degree, the scenery of Switzer-
land ; but every thing is on a lower
scale, and the green hills want the crown
of distant white Alps, which always at-
tend on the piny mountains of my native
country. We visited the wondrous cave,
and the little cabinets of natural history,
where the curiosities are disposed in the
same manner as in the collections at
Servox and Chamounix. The latter
name made me tremble, when pro-
nounced by Henry; and I hastened to
quit Matlock, with which that terrible
scene was thus associated.
From Derby still journeying north-
ward, we passed two months in Cum-
berland and Westmorland. I could
now almost faticy myself among^ the
y Google
118 frankbnstein; or^
Swiss mountains. The little patches of
snow which yet lingered on the northon
sides of the mountains, the lakes, and the
dashing of the rocky streams, were all
familiar and dear sights to me. Here
also we made son^ acquaintances, who
ahnost contrived to cheat me into hap-
piness. The delight of Clerval was pro-
portionably greater than mine ; his mind
expanded in the company of men of
talent, and he found in his own nature
greater capacities and resources than he
could have imagined himself to have
possessed while he associated with his
inferiors. '' I could pass my life here,"
said he to me ; ^' and among these
mountains I should scarcely regret Switz-
erland and the Rhine/*
But he found that a traveller's life is
one that. includes much pain amidst its
enjoy pients. His fj^ejiings are for ever
y Google
THE MOPERN PROMETHEUS. 119
on the stretch ; and when he begins to
eink into repose, he finds himself obliged
to quit that on which he rests in pleasure
for something new, which again engages
bis attention, and which also he forsakes
for other novelties.
We had scarcely visited the various
lakes of Cumberland and Westmor-
land^ and conceived an affection for
some of the inhabitants, when the pe-
riod of our appointment with our Scotch
friend approached, and we left them to
travel on. For my own part I was not
sorry. I had now neglected my promise
for some time, and I feared the effects
of the daemon's disappointment. He
might remain in Switzerland, and wreak
his vengeance on my relatives. This
idea pursued me, and tormented me at
every moment from which I might other-
wise have snatched repose and peace. I
waited for my letters with feverish im-
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120 FBANXENSTEIN ; OR^
patience : if they were delayed, I was
miserable, and overcome by a thousand
fears ; and when they arrived^ and I saw
the superscription of Elizabeth or my
father, I hardly dared to read and ascer-
tain my fate. Sometimes I thought that
the fiend followed me^ and might ex-
pedite my remissness by murdering my
companion. When these thoughts pos-
sessed me, I would not quit Henry for a
moment, but followed him as his shadow,
to protect him from the fancied rage of
his destroyer. I felt as if I had^ com-
mitted some great crime, the conscious-
ness of which haunted me. I was guilt-
less, but I had indeed drawn down a
horrible curse upon my head, as mortal
as that of crime.
I visited Edinburgh with languid
eyes and mind ; and yet that city might
have interested the most*^ unfortunate
being. Clerval did not like it so well
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 121
as Oxford ; for the adtiquity of the lat-
ter city was more pleasing to him. But
the beauty and regul?irity of the new
town of Edinburgh, its romantic castle,
and its environs, the most delightful
in the world, Arthur^s Seat, St. Ber-
nard's Well, and the Pentland Hills,
compensated him for the change, and
filled him with cheerfulness and ad-
miration. But I was impatient to arrive
at the termination of my journey.
We left Edinburgh in a week, pass-
ing through Coupar, St. Andrews, and
along the banks of the Tay, to Perth,
where our friend expected us. But I
was in no mood to laugh and talk with
strangers, or enter into their feelings or
plans with the good humour expected
from a guest; and accordingly I told
Clerval that I wished to make the tour
of Scotland alone. ** Do you,'* said I,
VOL. II. G
y Google
IJa JTRAWKRWaTBIN ; OR,
•' enjoy yourself, and let this be our ren*
dezvous, I may be absent a moMth or
two; but do not interfere with my
motions, I entreat you: leave me to
peace and solitude for a short time ; and
when I return, 1 hope it will be with a
lighter heart, more congenial to your
own temper/'
Henry wished to dissuade me; but,
seeing me bent on this plan, ceased to
remonstrate. He entreated me to write
often. '' I had rather be with you,"
he said, " in your solitary rambles, than
with these Scotch people, whom I do not
know : hasten then, my dear friend, to
return, that I may again feel myself
somewhat at home, which I cannot do in
your absence,'*
Having parted from my friend, I
determined to visit some remote spot
of Scotland, and finish my work in soli-
y Google
THE MODERN PROMSTaSUS. 1S8
tude. I did not doubt but that the
monster followed me, and would discover
himself to me when I should have finished,
that he might receive his companion.
With this resolution I traversed the
northern highlands, and fixed on one of
the remotest of the Orkneys as the
scene labours. It was a place fitted for
such a work, being hai*dly more than a
rock, whose high sides were continually
beaten upon by the waves. The soil
was barren, scarcely affording pasture
ibr a few miserable cows, and oatmeal
for its inhabitants, which consisted of
five persons, whose gaunt and scraggy
limbs gave tokens of their miserable
fare. Vegetables and bread, when they
indulged in such luxuries, and even
fresh water, was to be procured from
the main land, which was about five
miles distant.
On the whole island there were but
g2
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1S4 FRANKENSTEIN; OB,
three miserable huts, and one of these
\i'as vacant when I arrived. This i
hired. It contained but two rooms, and
these exhibited all the squalidness of
the most miserable penury. The thatch
had fallen in, the walls were unplastered,
and the door was off its hinges. I
ordered it to be repaired, bought some
furniture, and took possession ; an in-
cident whicli would, doubtless, have oc-
casioned some surprise, had not all the
senses of the cottagers been benumbed
by want and squalid poverty. As it
was, I lived ungazed at and unmolested,
Iiardly thanked for the pittance of food
and clothes which I gave; so much
does sutfering blunt even the coarsest
sensations of men.
In this retreat I devoted the morning
to labour ; but in the evening, when the
weather permitted, I walked on the
stony beach of the sea, to listen to the
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 125
waves as they roared, and dashed at my
feet. It was a monotonous, yet ever-
changing scene. I thought of Switzer-
land ; it was far different from this deso-
late and appalling landscape. Its hills
are covered with vines, and its cottages
are scattered thickly in the plains. Its
fair lakes reflect a blue and gentle sky ;
and, when troubled by the winds, their
tumult is but as the play of a lively in-
fant, when compared to the roarings of
the giant ocean.
In this manner I distributed my oc-
cupations when I first arrived ; but, as
I proceeded in my labour, it became
evei7 day more horrible and irksome
to me. Sometimes I could not prevail
on. myself to enter my laboratory for se-
vieral days; and at other times I toiled
day and night in order to complete my
work. It was indeed a filthy process in
y Google
126 FRANKENSTEIN ; OR,
which I was engaged. During my first
experiment, a kind of enthusiastic frenzy
had blinded me to the horror of my em-
ployment; my mind was intently fixed
on the consummation of n^y labour, and
my eyes were shut to the horror of my
proceedings. But now I went to it in
cold blood, and my heart often sickened
at the work iof my hands.
Thus situated, employed in the most
detestable occupation, immersed in a
solitude where nothing could for an in-
stant call my attention from the actual
scene in which I was engaged, my spirits
became unequal ; I grew restless and
nervous. Every moment I feared to
meet my persecutor. Sometimes I sat
with my eyes fixed on the ground,
fearing to raise them lest they should
encounter the object which I so much
dreaded to behold. I feared to wander
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHBUS. 1S7
from the sight of my fellow-creatures,
lest when alone he should conoe to claim
his companion.
In the mean time I worked on, and
my labour was already considerably ad-
vanced. I looked towards its com-
pletion with a tremulous and eager hope,
which I dared not trust myself to ques-
tion, but which was intermixed with ob-
scure forebodings of evil, that made my
heart sicken in my bosom.
y Google
128 FIUNKENSTEIN; OR,
CHAPTER VIII.
I SAT one evening in my laboratory ;
the sun had set, and the moon was just
rising from the sea ; I had not sufficient
light for my employment, and I remained
idle, in a pause of consideration of whe-
ther I should leave my labour for the
night, or hasten its conclusion by au
unremitting attention to it. As I sat, a
train of reflection occurred to me,
which led me to consider the effects of
what I was now doing. Three years
before I was engaged in the same man-
ner, and had created a fiend whose un-
paralleled barbarity had desolated my
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 1^9
heart, and filled it for ever with the bit-
terept remorse. . I was now about to
form another being, of whose disposi-
tions I was alike ignorant; she might be-
come ten thousand times more malig-
nant than her mate, and delight, for its
own sake, in murder and wretchedness.
He had sworn to quit the neighbourhood
of man, and hide himself in deserts ; but
she had not; and she, who in all proba-
bility was to become a thinking and
reasoning animal, might refuse to com-
ply with a compact made before her
creation. They might even hate each
other; the creature who already lived
loathed his own deformity, and might
he not conceive a greater abhorrence for
it when it came before his eyes in the
female form ? She also might turn with
disgust from him to the superior beauty
of man; she might quit him, and he be
again alone, exasperated by the fresh
g5
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130 FRANKENSTEIN; OE,
provocation of being deserted by one of
his own species.
Even if they were to leave Europe,
and inhabit the deserts of the new
world, yet one of the first results of
those sympathies for which the daemon
thirsted would be children, and a race
of devils would be propagated upon the
earth, who might make the very ex-
istence of the species of man a condi-
tion precarious and full of terror. Had
I a right, for my own benefit, to in-
flict this curse upon everlasting gene-
rations ? I had before been moved
by the sophisms of the being I had
created; 1 had been struck senseless
by his fiendish threats: but now, for
the first time, the wickedness of my
promise burst upon me; I shuddered
to think that future ages might curse
me as their pest, whose selfishness had
not hesitated to buy its own peace at
y Google
THE MODX&K PftOM£TH£US. 131
the price perhaps of the existence of the
whole human race.
I trembled, and my heart failed with-
in me; when, on looking up, I saw, by
the light of the moon, the deemon at
the casement A ghastly grin wrinkled
his lips as he gazed on me, where I sat
fulfilling the task which he had allotted
to me. Yes, he had followed me in my
travels ; he had loitered in forests, hid
himself in caves, or taken refuge in wide
and desert heaths ; and he now came to
mark my progress, and claim the fulfil-
ment of my promise.
As I looked on him, his countenance
expressed the utmost extent of malice
and treachery. I thought with a sen-
sation of madness on my proipise of
creating another like to him, and trem-
bling with passion, tore to pieces the
thing on which I was engaged. The
wretch saw me destroy the creature on
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132 FRANKENSTEUN ; OR,
whose future existence he depended for
happiness, and, with a howl of devilish
despair and revenge, withdrew.
I left the room, and, locking the
door, made a solemn vow in my. own
heart never to resume my labours; and
then, with trembling steps, I sought my
own apartment. I was alone; none
were near me to dissipate the gloom,
and relieve me from the sickening op-
pression of the most terrible reveries.
Several hours past, and I remained
near my window gazing on the sea ; it
was almost motionless, for the winds
were hushed, and all nature reposed
under the eye of the quiet moon. A
few fishing vessels ,alone specked the
water, and now and then the gentle
breeze wafted the sound of voices, as
the fishermen called to one another.
1 felt the silence, although I was hardly
conscious of its extreme profundity,
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 133
until my ear was suddenly arrested by
the paddling of oars near the shore, and
a person landed close to my house.
In a few minutes after, I heard the
creaking of my door, as if some one en-
deavoured to open it softly. I trembled
from head to foot; I felt a presentiment
of who it was, and wished to rouse one
of the peasants who dwelt in a cottage
not far from mine ; but 1 was overcome
by the sensation of helplessness, so often
felt in frightful dreams, when you in
vain endeavour to fly from an impending
danger, and was rooted to the spot.
Presently I heard the sound of foot-
steps along the passage; the door
opened, and the wretch whom I dreaded
appeared. Shutting the door, he ap-
proached me, and said, in a smothered
voice —
"You have destroyed the work which
you began ; what is it that you intend ?
y Google
134 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
Do you dare to break your promise ? I
have endured toil and misery: I left
Switzerland with you ; I crept along the
shores of the Rhine, among its willow
islands, and over the summits of its hills.
I have dwelt many months in the heaths
of England, and among the deserts of
Scotland. I have endured incalculable
fatigue, and cold, and hunger; do you
dare destroy my hopes ?"
'^ Begone ! I do break my promise ;
never will I create another like yourself,
equal in deformity and wickedness/'
'' Slave, I before reasoned with you,
but you have proved yourself unworthy
of my condescension. Renaember that
I have power ; you believe yourself mi-
serable, but I can make you so wretched
that the light of day will be hateful to
you. You are my creator, but I am
your master ; — obey V
" The hour of my irresolution is past.
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 186
and the period of your power is arrived.
Your threats cannot move me to do an
act of wickedness ; but they confirm me
in a determination of not creating you
a companion in vice. Shall I, in cool
blood, set loose upon the earth a daemon,
whose delight is in death and wretched-
ness ? Begone ! I am firm, and your
words will only exasperate my rage."
The monster saw my determination
in my face, and gnashed his teeth in the
impotence of anger. " Shall each man,''
cried he, " find a wife for his bosom,
and each beast have his mate, and I be
alone ? I had feelings of affection, and
they were requited by detestation and
scorn., Man! you may hate-, but be-
ware! Your hours will pass in dread
and misery, and soon the bolt will fell
which must ravish from you your hap-
piness for ever. Are you to be happy.
y Google
136 FRANKENSTEIN; OR^
while I grovel in the intensity of my.
wretchedness ? You can blast my other
passjons ; but revenge remains — revenge,
henceforth dearer than light or food ! I
may die ; but fii'st you, my tyrant and
tormentor, shall curse the sun that
gazes on your misery. Beware ; for I
am fearless, and therefore powerful. I
will watch with the wiliness of a snake,
that I may sting with its venom. Man,
you shall repent of the injuries you
inflict."
" Devil, cease; and do not poison the
air with these sounds of malice. I have
declared my resolution to you, and I
am no coward to bend beneath words.
Leave me ; I am inexorable.'*
" It is well. I go ; but remember,
I shall be with you on your wedding-
night.''
I started forward, and exclaimed.
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 187
" Villain ! before you sign my death-
warrant, be sure that you are yourself
safe/^
I would have seized him ; but he
eluded me> and quitted the house with
precipitation: in a few moments I saw
him in his boat, which shot across the
waters with an arrowy swiftness, and
was soon lost amidst the waves.
All was again silent ; but his words
rung in my ears; I burned with rage
to pursue the murderer of my peace,
and precipitate him into the ocean. I
walked up and down my room hastily
and perturbed, while my imagination
conjured up a thousand images to tor-
ment and sting me. Why had 1 not
followed him, and closed with him in
mortal strife ? But I had suffered him
to depart, and he had directed his course
towards the main land. I shuddered to
y Google
138 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
think who might be the next victim sa-
crificed to his insatiate revenge. And
then I thought again of his words-—" /
will be with you on your wedding'Tught.**
That then was the period fixed for the
fulfilment of my destiny. In that hour
I should die, and at once satisfy and
extinguish his malice. The prospect
did not move me to fear; yet when I
thought of my beloved Elizabeth, — of
her tears and endless sorrow^ when she
should find her lover so barbarously
snatched from her,— tears, the first I had
shed for many months, streamed from
my eyes, and I resolved not to fall before
my enemy without a bitter struggle.
The night passed away, and the sun
rose from the ocean; my feelings be-
came calmer, if it may be called calm-
ness, when the violence of rage sinks
into the depths of despair* I left the
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 139
house, the horrid scene of the last nights
contention, and walked on the beach of
the sea, which I almost regarded as an
insuperable barrier between me and my
feliow-creatures ; nay, a wish that such
should prove the fact stole across me.
I desired that I might pass my life on
that barren rock, wearily it is true, but
uninterrupted by any sudden shock of
misery. If I returned, it was to be sa-
crificed, or to see those whom I most
loved die under the grasp of a dsemon
whom I had myself created.
I walked about the isle like a restless
spectre, separated from all it loved, and
miserable in the separation. When it
became noon, and the sun rose higher,
I lay down on the grass, and was over-
powered by a deep sleep. I had been
awake the whole of the preceding night,
my nerves were agitated, and my eyes
y Google
1|0 FEANKENSTEIN ; OE,
inflamed by watching and misery. The
sleep inta which Lnow sunk refreshed
me ; and when I awoke, I again felt as
if I belonged to a race, of human beings
like myself, and I began to reflect upon
what had passed with greater com-
posure; yet still the words of the fiend
rung in my ears like a death-knell, they
appeai*ed like a dream, yet distinct and
oppressive as a reality.
The sun had far descended, and I
still sat on the shore, satisfying my ap-
petite, which had become ravenous,
with an oaten cake, when I saw a fishing-
boat land close to me, and one of the
men brought me a packet ; it contained
letters from Geneva, and one from
Clerval, entreating me to join him.
He said that nearly a year had elapsed
since we had quitted Switzerland, and
France was yet unvisited. He en*
y Google
THE MODERN FltOMETHEUS. 141
treated me, therefore, to leave my soli-
tary isle, and meet him at Perth, in
a week from that time, when we might
arrange the plan of our future pro-
ceedings. This letter in a degree re-
called me to life, and I determined to
quit my island at the expiration of two
days.
Yet, before I departed, there was a
task to perform, on which I shuddered
to reflect : 1 must pack up my chemical
instruments; and for that purpose I
must enter the room which had been
the scene of my odious work, and I
must handle those utensils, the sight of
which was sickening to me. The next
morning, at day-break, I summoned suf-
ficient courage, and unlocked the door
of my laboratory. The remains of the
half-finished creature, whom I had de-
stroyed, lay scattered on the floor, and
1 almost felt as if 1 had mangled the
y Google
14fi FRANKENSTEIN; Oft^
living flesh of a human being. I paused
to collect myself^ and then entered the
chamber. With trembling hand I con-
veyed the instruments out of the room ;
but I reflected that I ought not to leave
the relics of my work to excite the
horror and suspicion of the peasants,
and I accordingly put them into a
basket, with a great quantity of stones,
and, laying them up, determined to
throw them into the sea that very night;
and in the mean time I sat upon the
beach, employed in cleaning and ar-
ranging my chemical apparatus.
Nothing could be more complete than
the alteration that had taken place in
my feelings since the night of the ap«
pearance of the daemon. I had before
regarded my promise with a gloomy
despair, as a thing that, with whatever
consequences, must be fidfilled ; but I
now felt as if a film had been taken
y Google
THE MODEIIN PROMETHEUS. 143
from before my eyes, and that I, for
the first time, saw clearly. The idea
of renewing my labours did not for one
instant occur to me; the threat I had
heard weighed on my thoughts, but I
did not reflect that a voluntary act of
mine could ayert it. I had resolved
in my own mind, that to create another
like the fiend I had first made would
be an act of the basest and most atro-
cious selfishness ; and I banished from
my mind every thought that could lead
to a different conclusion.
Between two and three in the morn-
ing the moon rose ; and I then, putting
my basket aboard a little skiff, sailed
QUt about four miles from the shore.
The scene was perfectly solitary : a few
boats were returning towards land, but
I sailed away from them. I felt as if
I was about the commission of a dread-
ful crime, and avoided with shuddering
y Google
144 FRANKENSTEIN; 0^,
anxiety any encounter with my fellow-
creatures. At one time (be moon, which
had before been clear, was suddenly
overspread by a thick cloud, and I
took advantage of the moment of dark-
ness, and cast my basket into the sea :
I listened to the gurgling sound as it
sunk, and then sailed away from the
spot. The sky became clouded ; but
the air was pure, although chilled by
the north-east breeze that was then
rising. But it refreshed me, and filled
me with such agreeable sensations, that
I resolved to prolong my stay on the
water, and, fixing the rudder in a direct
position, stretched myself at the bottom
of the boat. Clouds hid the moon,
every thing was obscure, and I heard
only the sound of the bbat, as its keel
cut through the waves; the murmur
lulled me, and in a short time I slept
soundly.
N
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 14^
I do not know how long I remained
in this situation, but when I awoke I
found that th^ sun had already mounted
considerably. The wind was high, and
the waves continually threatened the
safety of my little skiff. I found that
the wind was north-east, and must have
driven me far from the coast from which
I had embarked. I endeavoured to
change my course, but quickly foiind
that, if I again made the attempt, the
boat would be instantly filled with wa-
ter. Thus situated, my only resource
was to drive before the wind. 1 confess
that I felt a few sensations of terror. I
had no compass with me, and was so
slenderly acquainted with the geography
of this part of the world that the sun
was of little benefit to me. I might
be driven into the wide. Atlantic, and
feel aill the tortures of starvation, or
be swallowed up in the immeasurable
VOL. II. H
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146 7RA2f KS1«SIT£IN ; OR^
waters that roared and buffeted around
me. I had already been out many
hoursy and felt the torment of a burning
thirst, a prelude to my other suffarings.
I looked on the heavens^ which were
covered by clouds that flew before the
wind only to be replaced by others : I
looked upon the sea, it was to be my
grave. *' Fiend," I exclaamed, " your
task is already fulfilled !*' I thought of
Elizabeth, of my father, and of Clerval ;
and sunk into a reverie, so despairii^
and frightful, that even now, when tbc
scene is on the point of closing before
me for ever, I shuddi^r to reflect on it.
Some hours passed thus ; but by de-
grees^ as the sun declined towards the
horizon, the wind died away into a
gentle breeze, and the sea became free
from breakers. But these gave j^ace
to a heavy swell : I felt sick> and hardly
able to hold the rudder, when suddenijr
y Google
THE MOPERN PROMiIiXJillUS. 147
I saw a line of high ladd towards the
south.
Almost spent, as I was^ by fatigue,
and the dreadful suspense I endured
for several hours, this sudden certainty
of life rushed like a flood of warm joy
to my heart, and tears gushed from my
eyes.
How ibutable are our feelings, and
how strange is that clinging love we
have of life even in the excess of mi-
sery ! I constructed another sail with a
part of my dress, and eagerly steered
my course towards the land. It had a
wild and rocky appearance ; but, as I
approached nearer, I easily perceived
the traces of cultivation. I saw vesHsels
near the shore, and found myself sud-
denly transported back to the neigh-
bourhood of civilized man. I carefully
traced the windings of the land, and
hailed a steeple which I at length saw
h2
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148 FRANKENSTEIN; OE,
issuing from behind a small promon-
tory. As I was in a state of extreme
debility, I resolved to sail directly to-
wards tbe town, as a place where I
could most easily procure noarishment.
Fortunately I had money with me. As
I turned the promontory, I perceived a
small neat town and a good harbour,
which I entered, my heart bounding
with joy at my unexpected escape.
As I was occupied in fixing the boat
and arranging the sails, several people
crowded towards the spot. They seemed
much surprised at my appearance ; but,
instead of: offering me any assistance,
whispered together with gestures that
at any other time might have produced
in me a slight sensation of alarm. . As
it was, I merely remarked that they
spoke English; and I therefore ad-
dressed them in that language : *' My
good friends," said I, " will you be so
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 149
kind as to tell me the name of tbi^
town, and inform me where 1 am ?'^
" You will know that soon enough/'
replied a man with a hoarSe voice.
'' May lie you are come to a place that
will not prove much to your taste ; but
you will not be consulted as to your
quarters, I promise you/'
I was exceedingly sui-prised on re-
ceiving so rude an answer ftom a
stranger ; and 1 was also disconcerted
oil perceiving the frowning and angry
countenances of his companions. ** Why
do you answer me so roughly?" Ire-
plied ; " surely it is not the custom of
Englishmen to receive strangers so in-
hospitably."
" I do not know/* said the man,
'* what the custom of the English may
be ; but it is the custom of the Irish to
hate villains/*
While this strange dialogue conti-
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350 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
nuedi I perceived the crowd rapidly
increase. Their faces expressed a mix-
ture of curiosity and anger, which an-
noyed, and in some degree alarmed
me. I inquired the way to the inn;
but no one replied. I then moved for-
ward, and a murmuring sound arose
from the crowd as they followed aiMi
surrounded me; when an ill^looking
man approaching, tapped me on the
shoulder, and said, " Come, Sir, you
must follow me to Mr. Kirwin's, to give
an account of yourself.*'
'•Who is Mr. Kirwin ? Why am I
to give an account of myself? Is not
this a free country ?*'
" Ay, Sir, free enough for honest
folks. Mr. Kirwin is a magistrate;
and you are to give an account of the
death of a gentleman who was found
murdered here last night.'*
This answer startled me; but I pre-
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 161
sently recovered myself. I was inno-
cent; that could easily be proved : ac-
cordingly I followed my conductor in
silence, and was led to one of the best
houses in the town. I was ready to
sink from fatigue and hunger; but,
beiijg surrounded by a crowd, I thought
it politic to rouse all my strength, that
DO physical debility might be construed
into apprehension or conscious guilt
Little did I then expect the tcalamity
that was in a few moments to over-
whelm me, and extinguish in horror
and despair all fear of ignominy or
death.
1 must pause here ; for it requires all
my fortitude to recall the memory of
the frightful events which I am about
to relate, in proper detail, to my recol-
lection.
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152 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
CHAPTER IX.
I WAS soon introduced into the pre-
sence of the magistrate, an old benevo-
lent man, with calm and mild manners.
He looked upon me, however, with
some degree of severity : and then,
turning towards my conductors, he
asked who appeared as witnesses on
this occasion.
About half a dozen men came for-
ward ; and, one being selected by the
magistrate, he deposed, that he had
been out fishing the night before with
his son and brother-in-law, Daniel Nu-
gent, when, about ten o'clock, they ob-
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 153
served a strong northerly blast rising,
and they accordingly put in for port.
It was a very dark night, as the moon
had not yet risen ; they did not land at
the harbour, but, as they had been ac-
customed, at a creek about two miles
below. He walked on first, carrying
a part of the fishing tackle, and his
companions followed him at some di-
stance. As he was proceeding along the
sands, he struck his foot against some-
thing, and fell at his length on the
ground. His companions came up to
assist him ; and, by the light of their
lantern, they found that he had fallen
on the body of a man, who was to all
appearance dead. Their first suppo-
sition \<as, that it was the corpse of
some person who had been drowned,
and was thrown on shore by the waves ;
but, on examination, they found that
the clothes were not wet, and even that
h5
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L54 TRANKAIffSTEIN ; OR,
the f body ifas Dot then eold. They.in*
stantljr carried it to the cottage of an
old woman near the spot, and andea.
voiHred, but in vain, to restore it to life*
It. appeared to be a handsome young
man, about five and twenty years of i^.
He bad apparently been .strangled ; for
there was no sign of any violence, ex-
cept the black mark of iingers on fats
neck.
The first part of this deposition did
not in the least interest me ; but when
the mark of the fing^ers was mentioned,
I remembered the murder of my bro*
ther, and felt myself extremely agitated ;
my limbs trembled, and a mist came
over my eyes, which obliged me. to lean
on a chair for support The magi*
strate observed xae with a keen eye,
land of course drew an uniavourable
augury from my manner.
The son confirmed his father's ac-
y Google
THB JilODBRK PROMETHEUS. 155
eountt but when Daniel Nugent was
called, he swore positively that, just
before the fall of his companion, he
saw a boat, with a single man in it, at
a short distance from the shore; and,
aa far as he could judge by the light of
a few stars, it was the same boat in
which I had just landed.
A woman deposed, that she lived
near the beach, and was standing at
the door of her cottage, waiting for the
return of the fishermen, about an hour
before she heard of the discovery of the
body, when she saw a boat, with only
one man in it, push off from that
part of the shore where the corpse wai
afterwards found.
Another woman confirmed the ac-
count of the fishermen having brought
the body into her house; it was not
cold. They put it into a bed, and
rubbed it ; and Daniel went to tb^
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156 FRANKENSTEIN ; OK>
town for an anothecarv. but life was
quite gone.
Several other men were examined
concerning my landing ; and they
agreed, that, with the strong north
wind that had arisen during the night,
it was very probable that 1 had beaten
about for many hours, and had - been
obliged to return nearly to the same
spot from which I had departed. Be-
sides, they observed that it appeared
that I had brought the body from an-
other" place, and it was likely, that as
I did not appear to know the shore, I
might have put into the harbour igno-
rant of the distance of the town of
from the place where I had de-
posited the corpse.
Mr. Kirwin, on hearing this evi-
dence, desired that I should be taken
into the room where the body lay for
interment, that it might be observed
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 1S7
what effect the sight of it would pro-
duce upon me. This idea was proba-
bly suggested by the extreme agitation
I bad exhibited when the mode of the
murder had been described. I was ac-
cordingly conducted, by the magistrate
and several other persons, to the inn.
I could not help being struck by the
strange coincidences that had taken
place during this eventful night ; but»
knowing that I had been conversing
M'ith ^ several persons in the island I
had inhabited about the time that the
body had been found, I was perfectly
tranquil as to the consequences of the
affair.
I entered the room where the corpse
lay, and was led up to the coffin. How
can I describe my sensations on be-
holding it ? I feel yet parched with
horror, nor can I reflect on that terrible
y Google
158 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
moinent without shuddering andagony.
The examination, the presence of the
magistrate and tntnesses, passed like a
dream from my memory, when I saw
the lifeless form of Henry Clerval
stretched before me. I gasped for
breath ; and, throwing myself on the
body, I exclaimed, " Have my murde-
rous machinations deprived you also, my
dearest Henry, of life ? Two I have
already destroyed ; other victims await
their destiny: but you, Clerval, my
friend, my benefactor'*—
The human frame could no longer
support the agonies that I endured, and
I was carried out of the room in strong
convulsions.
A fever succeeded to this. I lay for
two months on the point of death:
my ravings, as I afterwards heard, were
frightful; I called myself the murderer
y Google
THE HODBRNiFROMETHBUS. 159
V
of William, of Justiae, and of ClervaL
Sometimes I entreated my attendants
to assiat me in the destruction of the
fiend by whom I was tormented ; and
at others, I felt the fingers of the mon-
ster already grasping my neck, and
iscreamed aloud with agony and terror.
Fortunately, as I spoke my native lan-
guage, Mr. Kirwin alone understood
me ; but my gestures and bitter cries
were sufiUcient to affright the other
witnesses.
Why did I not die? More miserable
thcin man ever was before, why did I
not sink into forgetfulness and rest?
Death snatches away many blooming
children, the only hopes of their doat-
ing (^rents : how many brides and
youthful lovers have been one day in
the bloom of health and hope, and the
next a prey for worms and the decay
of the tomb ! Of what materials was
y Google
160 FRANK CNSTBIM i OR,
I made, that I could thus resist so many
shocks, which, like the turning of the
wheel, continually renewed the tor-
ture.
But I was doon^ed to live; and, in
two months, found myself as awaking
from a dream, in a prison, stretched on
a wretched bed, surrounded by gaolers,
turnkeys, bolts, and all the miserable
apparatus of a dungeon. It was morn-
ing, I remember, when I thus awoke to
understanding: 1 had forgotten the
particulars of what had happened, and
only felt as if some great misfortunie
had suddenly overwhielmed me j but
when I looked around, and saw the
barred windows, and the .squalidness
of the room in which I was, all flashed
across my memory, and I groaned bit-
terly.
This sound disturbed an old woman
who was sleeping in a chair beside me*
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 161
She was a hired nurse, the wife of one
of the turnkeys, and her countenance
expressed all those bad qualities which
often characterize that class. The lines
of her face were hard and rude, like
that of persons accustomed to see with-
out sympathizing in sights of misery.
Her tone expressed her entire indiffe-
rence; she addressed me in English,
and the voice struck me as one that I
had heard during my sufferings :
" Are you better now, Sir?" said
she.
I replied in the same language, with
a feeble voice, " I believe 1 am j but if
it be all true, if indeed I did not dream,
I am sorry that I am still alive to feel
this misiery and horror.'*
'* For that matter,'* replied the old
woman, ** if you mean about the gen-
tleman you murdered, I believe that
1
^
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162 FRANKENSTEIN ; OR,
it were better for you if you were dead,
for I fancy it will go hard with you !
However, that *s none of my business^ I
lun sent to nurse you, and get you well ; I
do my duty with a safe oonscience ; it
were well if every body did the same.**
I turned with loathing from the wo-
man who could utter so unfeeling a
speech to a person just saved, on the
very edge of death ; but I felt languid,
and unable to reflect on all that had
parsed. The whole series of my life
appeared to me as a dream ; I some-
times doubted if indeed it were all true,
for it never presented itself to my mind
with the force of reality.
As the images that floated before me
became more distinct, I grew feverish ;
a darkness pressed around me : no one
was near me who soothed me with the
gentle voice of love ; no dear hand sup^
y Google
THE MODBUN PROMETHEUS. 16S
ported me. The physician came and
prescribed medicines, and the old wo-
man prepared them for me; but utter
carelessness was visible in the firsthand
the expression of brutality was strongly
marked in the visage of the second.
Who could be interested in the fate of
a murderer, but the hangman who would
gain his fee ?
These were my first reflections ; but
I soon learned that Mr. Kirwin had
shewn me extreme kindness. He had
caused the best room in the prison to
be prepared for me (wretched indeed
was the best) ; and it was he who had
provided a physician and a nurse. It
is tiHie, he seldom came to see me ; for,
although he ardently desired to relieve
the sufferings of every human creature,
he did not wish to be present at the
agonies and miserable ravings of a
murderer. He came, therefore, some-
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164 FRANKENSTEIN; OA,
times to see that I was not neglected ;
but his visits were short, and with long
intervals.
One day, while I viras gradually reco-
vering, I was seated in a chair, my
eyes half open, and my cheeks livid
like tho^e in death. I was overcome by
gloom and misery, and often reflected
I had better seek death than desire to
remain in a world which to me was re-
plete with wretchedness. At one time
I considered whether I should not de-
clare myself guilty, and suffer the pe-
nalty of the law, less innocent than
poor Justine had been. Such were my
thoughts, when the door of my apart-
ment was opened, and Mr. Kirwin
entered. His countenance expressed
sympathy and compassion ; he drew a
chair close to mine, and addressed me
in French
** I fear that this place is very shock-
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THE ICODERM PROMETHEUS. 165
ing to you ; can I do any thing to inal^e
you more comfortable ?**
^^ I thank you ; but all that you mention
is nothing to me : on the whole earth
there is no comfort which I am capable
of receiving."
" 1 know that the sympathy of a
stranger can be but of little relief to
one borne down as you are by so
strange a misfortune. But you will, I
hope, soon quit this melancholy abode ;
for, doubtless, evidence can easily be
brought to free you from the criminal
charge.**
" That is my least concern : I am, by
a course of strange events, become the
most miserable of mortals. Persecuted
and tortured as I am and have been, can
death be any evil to me ?"
" Nothing indeed could be more un-
fortunate and agonizing than the strange
chances that have lately occurred. You
y Google
i
were thrown, by sonae surprising acci-
dent, on this shore, renowned for ife
hospitality; seized immediately, and
charged with murder. The first sight
diat was presented to your eyes was the
body of your friend, murdered in so
unaccountable a manner, and placed,
as it were, by some fiend across your
pathi"
As Mr. Kirwin said .this, notwith-
standing the agitation I endured on
this retrospect of my suflferings, I also
felt considerable surprise at the know-
ledge he seemed to possess concerning
me. I suppose some astonishment was
exhibited in my countenance; for Mr.
Kirwin hastened to say —
" It was not until a day or two after
your illness that I thought of examining
your dress, that I might discover some
trace by which I could send to your re*
lations an account of your misfortune
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 167
and illness; I found several letters, and,
among others^ one which I discovered
from its commencement to be from yonr
father. I instantly wrote to Geneva:
nearly two months have elapsed since
the departure of my letter. — But you
are ill ; even now you tremble : you
are unfit for agitation of any kind.^'
'^ This suspense is a thousand times
worse than the most horrible event:
tell me what new scene of death has
been acted, and whose murder I am now
to la^ment."
" Your family is perfectly well,"
said Mr. Kirwin, with gentleness ; " and
some one, a friend, is come to visit
you.'*
I know not by what chain of thought
the idea presented itself, but it instantly
darted into my mind that the murderer
had come to mock at my misery, and
taunt me with the death of Clerval, as
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^68 FRANEEKSTEIN S OR,
a new incitement for me to comply with
his hellish desires. I put my band be-
fore my eyes, and cried out in agony —
'' Oh ! take him away ! I cannot see
him; for God's sake, do not let him
enter!''
Mr. Kirwin regarded me with a
troubled countenance. He could not
help regarding my exclamation as a pie-
sumption of my guilt, and said, in rather
a severe tone —
^^ I should have thought, young man,
that the presence of your father would
have been welcome, instead of inspiring
such violent repugnance."
** My father!'* cried I, while every
feature and every muscle was relaxed
from anguish to pleasure. " Is my father,
indeed, come.> How kind, how very
kirid. But where is he, why does he
not hasten to me ?"
My change of ipanner surprised and
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 169
pleased the magistrate ; perhaps he
thought that my former exclamation was
a motnehtary return of delirium, and
now he instantly resumed his former
benevolence. He rose, and quitted the
room with my nurse, and in a moment
my father entered it.
Nothing, at this moment, could have
given me greater pleasure than the ar-
rival of my father. I stretched out my
hand to him, and cried —
" Are you then safe — and Elizabeth—
and Ernest?*'
My father calnied me with assurances
of their welfare, and endeavoured, by
dwelling on these subjects so interest-
ing to my heart, to raise my desponding
spirits ; but he soon felt that a prison
cannot be the abode of cheerfulness.
** What a place is this that you inhabit,
my son !"* said he, looking mournfully
at the barred windows, and wretched
VOL. II. I
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170 I^RAMKENSTBTir ; OR^
appearance of the room. ?• You travelled
to seek happiness^ but a fatality seems te
pursue you. And poor Clerval-^*'
Tbe name of my unfin^unmte and
murdered friend was an agitation too
great to be endured in my weak state;
I shed tears.
•* Alas ! yes, my father/' replied I ;
" some destiny of the most hm-rible
kind hangs oyer me, and I must live to
fulfil it, or surely I should have died on
the coffin of Henry/'
We were not allowed to converse for
any length of time, for the precarious
state of my health rendered every pre*
caution necessary that could insai^
tranquillity. Mr. Kirwin came in, ami
insisted that my strength should not be
exhausted by too much exertion. But
the appearance of my father was to xnc
like that ^f my good angeU and I gnu-
dually recovered my health.
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 171
As my sickness quitted me, I was ab^
sorbed by a gloomy and black melan-
choly, that nothing could dissipate.
The image of Clerval was for ever
before me, ghastly and murdered.
More than once the agitation into
which these reflections threw me made
my friends dread a dangerous relapse,
Alas ! why did they preserve so miser-
able and detested a life ? It was surely
that I might fulfil my destiny^ which is
now drawing to a close. Soon, oh, very
soon, will death extinguish these throb-
bings, and relieve me from the mighty
weight of anguish that bears me to the
dust^ and, i^i e^xecuting the award of
justice, I shall also sink to rest. Then
the appearance of death was distant,
although the wish was ever present to
my thoughts ; and I often sat for hours
niotionless and speechless, wishing for
some mighty revolutioa that might
i2
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172 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
bury me and my destroyer in its
ruins.
The season of the assizes approached.
I had already been three months in
prison ; and although I was still weak,
and in continual danger of a relapse, I
was obliged to travel nearly a hundred
miles to the county-town, where the
court was held. Mr. KiVwin charged
himself with every care of collecting
witnesses, and arranging my defence.
I was spared the disgrace of appearing
publicly as a criminal, as the case was
not brought before the court that decides
on life and death. The grand jury re-
jected the bill, on its being proved that
I was on the Orkney Islands at the hour
the body of my friend was found, and a
fortnight after my removal I was liberated
from prison.
My father was enraptured on finding
me freed from the vexations of a cri-
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 173
fflinal charge, that I was again allowed
to breathe the fresh atmosphere, and
allowed to return to my native country.
I did not participate in these feelings;
for to me the walls of a dungeon or a
palace were alike hateful. The cup of
life was poisoned for ever; and al-
though the sun shone upon me, as upon
the happy and gay of heart, I saw
around me nothing but a dense and
frightful darkness, penetrated by no
light but the glimmer of two eyes that
glared upon me. Sometimes they were
the expressive eyes of Henry, languish-
ing in death, the dark orbs nearly
covered by the lids, and the long black
lashes that fringed them; sometimes it
was the watery, clouded eyes of the mon-
ster, as I first saw them in my chamber
at Ingolstadt.
My father tried to awaken in me the
feelings of affection. He talked of
y Google
174 fraiwcensteik; or,
Geneva, which I should soon visit — of
Elizabeth, and Ernest ; but these words
only drew deep groans from me. Some-
times, indeed, I felt a wish for happi-
ness; and thought, with melancholy de-
light, of my beloved cousin ; or longed,
with a devouring maladie du pays^ to
see once more the blue lake and rapid
Rhone, that had been so dear to me in
eariy childhood : but my general state
of feeling was a torpor, in which a
prison was as welcome a residence as
the divinest scene in nature ; and these
fits were seldom interrupted, but by
paroxysms of anguish and despair. At
these moments I often endeavoured to
put an end to the existence I loathed ;
and it required unceasing attendance
and vigilance to restrain me from
committing some dreadful act of vio-
lence.
I remember, as I quitted the prison,
y Google
THE MOJ>EllN PKOMETHJEUS. 175
I beard one of the mea say, ''He may
be innocent of the murder, but he has
certainly a bad conscience/' These
words struck me. A bad conscience !
yes, sureJy I had one. William, Jus-
tine, and Clerval, had died through my
infernal machinations. '^ And whose
death,*' cried I, "is to finish the tra-
gedy? Ah! my father, do not remain
in tim wretched country; take me
where I may forget myself, my exist*
ence, and all the world.*'
My father easily acceded to my de-
sire; and, after having taken leave of
Mr. Kirwin, we hastei^d to Dublin. I
felt as if I was relieved from a heavy
weight, when the packet sailed with a
fair wind from Ireland, and I had
quitted for ever the country which had
been to me the scene of so much
misery.
It was midnight. My father slept in
y Google
176 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
the cabin ; and I lay on the deck, look-
ing at the stars, and listening to the
dashing of the waves. I hailed the
darkness that shut Ireland from my
sight, and my pulse beat with a feverish
joy, when I reflected that I should soon
see Geneva. The past appeared to
me in the light of a frightful dream ;
yet the vessel in which I was, the wind
that blew me from the detested shore of
Ireland, and the sea which surrounded
me, told me too forcibly that I was de-
ceived by no vision, and that Clerval,
my friend and dearest companion, had
fallen a victim to me and the monster
of my creation. 1 repassed, in my
memory, my whole life; my quiet hap-
piness while residing with my family in
Geneva, the death of my mother, and
my departure for Ingolstadt. I remem-
bered shuddering at the mad enthu-
siasm that hurried me on to the crea-
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THE MOP£RN PROMETHEUS. 177
4ion of my hideous enemy, and I called
to mind the night in which he first lived.
I was unable to pursue the train of
thought ; a thousand feelings pressed
upon me, and I wept bitterly.
Ever since my recovery from the fever,
I had been in the custom of taking every
night a small quantity of laudanum;
for it was by means of this drug only
that I was enabled to gain the rest
necessary for the preservation of life.
Oppressed by the recollection of my
various misfortunes, I now took a
double dose, and soon slept profoundly.
But sleep did not afford me respite
from thought and misery; my dreams
presented a thousand objects that scared
me. Towards morning I was possessed
by a kind of night-mare; I felt the
fiend's grasp in my neck, and could not
free myself from it; groans and cries
rung in my ears. My father, who was
i5
y Google
178 fkaijkenstein; oh,
watching over rae, perceiving nay rest
lessnees, awoke me, and pointed to toe
port of Holyhead, which we were now
entering.
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THE MODERN PEOMBTHEUS. It9
CHAPTER X.
We had resolved not to go to London,
but to cross the country to Portsmouth,
and thence to embark for Havre. I
preferred this plan principally because
I dreaded to see again those places in
which I had enjoyed a few moments of
tranquillity with my beloved Clerval,
I thought with horror of seeing again
those persons whom we had been ac<^
customed to visit together, and who
might mkae inquiries concerning aa
event, the very remembrance of which
made me again feel the pang I endured
y Google
1*80 FRANKENSTEIN; OE,
when I gazed on his lifeless form in the
inn at .
As for my father, his desires and ex-
ertions were bounded to the again see-
ing me restored to health and peace of
mind. His tenderness and attentions
were unremitting ; my grief and gloom
was obstinate, but he would not despair.
Sometimes he thought that I felt deeply
the degradation of being obliged to an-
swer a charge of murder, and he en-
deavoured to prove to me the futility of
pridfe.
" Alas ! my father,'' said I, " how
little do you know me. Human beings,
their feelings and passions, would in-
deed be degraded, if such a wretch as
I felt pride. Justine, poor unhappy
Justine, was as innocent as I, and she
suffered the same charge j she died
for it; and I am the cause of this —
I murdered her. William, Justine,
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 181
and Henry— they all died by my
bands.*'
My father bad often, during my im-
prisonment, heard me make the same
assertion ; when I thus accused myself,
he sometimes seemed to desire an ex-
planation, and at others he appeared to
consider it as the offspring of delirium,
and that, during my illness, some idea
of this kind had presented itself to my
imagination, the remembrance of which
I preserved in my convalescence. I
avoided explanation, and maintained a
continual silence concerning the \<^retch
I had created. I had a feeling that I
should be supposed mad, and this for
ever chained my tongue, when I would
have given the whole world to haVe con-
fided the fatal secret.
Upon this occasion my father said,
with an expression of unbounded won-
der, " What do you mean, Victor?,
y Google
rSO FRANKENSTEIN; OE
when I gazed on his lifele
inn at .
' — """^
As for my father, his/ ^ '^
ertions were bounded ^^ "S^
ing me restored tol| ^ "^ '^^
mind. His tendei^ ^ ^ *i- _
were unremitting/ ^^ % ^^^t^
was obstinate, ^y%\\^ ^.
Sometimes he J ?^ ^ ^ "^ ^ ^
the degradatk<h^%%\^ ^ ^
deavoured, ^y <?i ^
pride. , ? ^ aunian
- Alaf i /
little d/ 1 -^ this speech con-
their>V -f that my ideas were
(leer -d he instantly changed the
1 f A our conversation, and en-
j, a red to alter the course of my
c aghts. He wished as much as pos-
ible to obliterate the memory of the
scenes that had taken place in Ireland,
y Google
■5
DDBRN FfiOMSTHEUS. 168
<L, *^ to them, or suffered
^o, ^^ misfortunes*
^ \ ^y I became' more
Jj \ 4welling in my
"^ ^ %^ \ ♦alked in the
Ip^^^^^ "'^ \ ^he con-
/^v^o"^ "^i.. . utmost
^ i«;^ <^^* .e imperious
^"^ ^ ^^ <:- '' ^hich sometimes
i:^ ^ ' itself to the whole
^ ' / manners were calmer
jmposed than they had ever
-ce my journey to the sea of ice.
e arrived at Havre on the 8th of
4.4ay, and instantly proceeded to Paris,
^ere my father had some business,
^hich detained us a few weeks. In this
city I received the following letter from
Elizabeth :—
y Google
188 FitAN«:ENS'nBnr ; or,
are you mad ? My dear son, I entreat
you never to make such an assertion
again/'
*^ I am not mad/' I cried eno'geti*
caily; ^^ die sun and the heavens, who
hare viewed my operations, can bear
witoess of my truth. I am the assassin
of those most innocent victims; they
died by my machinations. A thousand
times would I have shed my own blood,
drop by drop, to have saved their lives ;
but I could not, my father, indeed I
could not sacrifice the whole human
race/'
The conclusion of this speech con-
vinced my father that my ideas were
derangcjd, and he instantly cbasged the
subject of our conversation, and ^i-
deavoured to alter the course of my
tboughte. He wished as much as pos-
sible to obliterate the memmy of the
scenes that had taken place in Ireland,
y Google
THE HODBRN PBOMBTHEUS. 188
and never alluded to tbem, or suffered
me to speak of my misfortunes*
As time passed aivay I became' more
calm: misery had her dwelling in my
heart, but I no longer talked in the
^ame incoherent manner of my own
crimes ; sufficient for me was the con-
sciousness of them. By the utmost
self-violence, I curbed the imperious
voice of wretchedness, which sometimes
desired to declare itself to the whole
worM ; and my manners were calmer
and more composed than they had ever
"been since my journey to the sea of ice.
We arrived at Havre on the 8th of
May, and instantly proceeded to Paris,
vrhere my father had some business,
which detained us a few weeks. In this
city I received the following letter from
Elizabeth :—*
y Google
184 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
" To Victor Frankenstein.
" MY DEAR FRIEND,
" It gave me the greatest pleasure to
receive a letter from my uncle dated at
Paris ; you are no longer at a formidable
distance, and I may hope to see you in
lesa than a fortnight. My poor cousin,
how much you must have suffered ! I
expect to see you looking even more
ill than when you quitted Geneva.
This winter has been passed most mi-
serably, tortured as I have been by
anxious suspense; yet I hope to see
peace in your countenance, and to find
that your heart is not totally void of
comfort and tranquillity.
^* Yet I fear that the same feelings
now exist that made you so miserable a
year ago, even perhaps augmented by
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 185
time. I would not disturb you at this
period, when so many misfortunes weigh
upon you ; but a conversation that I had
with my uncle previous to his departure
renders some explanation necessary be-
fore we meet.
*' Explanation ! you may possibly
say; what can Elizabeth have to ex-
plain ? If you really say this, my ques-
tions are answered, and I have no more
to do than to sign myself your affec-
tionate cousin. But you are distant
from me, and it is possible that you
may dread, and yet be pleased with this
explanation ; and, in a probability of
this being the case, I dare not any longer
postpone writing what, during your ab-
sence, I have often wished to express to
you, but have never had the courage to
begin.
" You well know, Victor, that our
union had been the favourite plan of
y Google
186 FIAKKEKSTEIN ; OR,
your parents ever since our intioiacy.
We were told this when young, and
taught to look forward to it as an event
that would certainly take place. We
were affectionate playfellows during
childhood, and, I believe, dear and
valued friends to one another as we
grew older. But as brother and sister
often entertain a lively affection to-
wards each other, without desiring a
more intimate union, may not such also
be our case? Tell me, dearest Victor.
Answer me, I conjure you, by our mu-
tual happiness, with simple (ruth— Do
you not love another ?
" You have travelled; you have
spent several years of your life at In-
golstadt; and I confess to you, my
friend, that when I saw you last au-
tumn so unhappy, flying to solitude,
from the society of every creature, I
could not help supposing that you
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 18T
might regret our connexion^ and be-
lieve yourself bound in honour to fulfil
the wishes of your parents, although
they opposed themselves to your incli-
n^ions. But this is false reasoning.
I confess to you, my cousin, that I love
you, and that in my airy dreams of
futurity you have been my constant
friend and companion. But it is your
happiness I iesire as well as my own,
when I declare to you, that our marriage
would render me eternally miserable,
unless it were the dictate of your own
free choice. Even now I weep to think,
that, I>orne down as you are by the
cruelest misfortunes, you may stifle, by
the word honour, all hope of that love
and happiness which would alone re-
store you to yourself. I, who have so
interested an affection for you, may in-
crease your miseries tenfold, by being
an obstacle to your wishes. Ah, Vic*
y Google
188 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
tor, be assured that your cousin and
playmate has too sincere a love for you
not to be made miserable by this sup-
position. Be happy, my friend ; and if
you obey me in this one request, remain
satisfied that nothing on earth will
have the power to interrupt my tran-
quillity.
" Do not let this letter disturb you ;
do not answer it to-morrow, or the
next day, or even until you come, if it
will give you pain. My uncle will send
me news of your health ; and if I see
but one smile on your lips when we
meet, occasioned by this or any other
exertion of mine, I shall need no other
happiness.
" Elizabeth Lavenza.
" Geneva^ May 18th, 17—."
This, letter revived in my memory
what I had before forgotten, the threat
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 189
3f the fiend — '' / will be with you on
your wedding' night r' Such was my
sentence, and on that night would the
daemon employ every art to destroy me,
and tear me from the glimpse of happi-
ness which promised partly to console
my sufferings. On that night he had
determined to consummate his crimes
by my death. Well, be it so; a deadly
struggle would then assuredly take
place, in which if he were victorious, I
should be at peace, and his power over
me be at an end. If he were van-
quished, I should be a free man. Alats!
what freedom ? such as the peasant
enjoys when his family have been mas-
sacred before his eyes, his cottage
burnt, his lands laid waste, and he is
turned adrift, homeless, penny less, and
alone, but free. Such would be my
liberty, except that in my Elizabeth I
possessed a treasury; alas! balanced
y Google
190 F&AMKENSTznr; or,
by those horrors of remorse and guilt,
which would pursue me until death.
Sweet and beloved Elizabeth f I
read and re-read her letter, and some
softened feelings stole into my heart,
and dared to whisper paradisaical
dreams of love and joy ; but the apple
was already eaten, and the angel's arm
bared to drive me from all hope. Yet
I would die to make her happy. If the
monster executed his threat, death was
inevitable ; yet, again, I considered whe-
ther my marriage would hasten my
fate. My destruction might indeed
arrive a few months sooner; but if my
torturer should suspect that I post-
poned it, influenced by his menaces,
he would surely find other, and per-
haps more dreadful means of revenge.
He had vowed to be with me on my
wedding-nighty yet he did not consider
that threat as binding him to peace in
y Google
THE MOD9BJ7 PROMXTUEUS. 191
the meantime; for, as if to show me
that be was not yet satiated with blood,
he had murdered Clerval immediately
after the enunciation of bis threats. I
reaolred, therefore, that if my imme*
diate union with my cousin would con-
duce either to hers or my father's bap-
piness, my adversary's designs against
my life should not retard it a single
hour.
In this state of mind I wrote to Eliza-
beth. My letter was calm and affec-
tionate. " I fear, my beloved girl,*' I
said, ^^ little happiness remains for us
on earth ; yet all that I may one day
enjoy is centred in you. Chase away
your idle fears ; to you alone do I con-
secrate my life, and my endeavours
for contentment. I have one secret,
Elizabeth, a dreadful one; when re-
vealed to you, it will chill your frame
with horror, and then, far from being
y Google
192 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
surprised at my misery, you will only
wonder that I survive what I have en-
dured. I will confide this tale of misery
and terror to you the day after our uiar-
riage shall take place ; for, ray sweet
cousin, there must be perfect confidence
between us. But until then, I conjure
you, do not mention or allude to. it.
This I most earnestly entreat, and 1
know you will comply."
In about a week after the arrival of
£lizabeth's letter, we returned to Ge^
neva. My cousin welcomed me with
warm affection; yet tears were in her
eyes, as she beheld my emaciated frame
and feverish cheeks. I saw a change
in her also. She was thinner, and had
lost much of that heavenly vivacity that
had before chariped me; but her ^en-.
tleness, and soft looks of compassion,
made her a more fit companion for one
blasted and miserable as I was.
\ Digitized by Google
THIS MODEEN PROMETHEUS. 193 '
The tranquillity which I now enjoyed
did not endure- Memory brought mad-
ness with it; and when I thought of
what had passed, a real insanity pos-
sessed me ; sometimes I was furious,
and burnt with rage, sometimes low
and despondent. I neither spoke, nor
looked at any one, but sat motionless,
bewildered by the multitude of miseries
that overcame me.
Elizabeth alone had the power to
draw me from these fits; her gentle
voice would soothe me when trans-
ported by passion, and inspire me with
human feelings when sunk in torpor.
She wept with me, and for me. When
reason returned, she would remonstrate*
and endeavour to inspire me with re-
signation. Ah! it is well for the un-
fortunate to be resigned, but for the
guilty there is no peace* The agonies
of remorse poison the luxury there is
VOL. II* K
y Google
194 FRANKENSTEIN; OR^
otherwise sometimes found in indulging
the excess of grief.
Soon after my arrival, my father
spoke of my immediate marriage with
my cousin. I remained silent.
** Have you, then, some other attach-
ment?''
" None on earth. I love Elizabeth,
and look forward to our union with de-
light. Let the day therefore be fixed ;
and on it I will consecrate myself, in
life or death, to the happiness of my
cousin/'
" My dear Victor, do not speak thus.
Heavy misfortunes have befallen us;
but let us only cling closer to what re-
mains, and transfer our love for those
whom we have lost to those who jet
live, , Our circle will be small, but
bound close by the ties of affection and
Uiutual misfortune. And when time
shall -have softened your despair, new
X
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 195
and dear objects of care will be born
to replace those of whom we have been
so cruelly deprived."
Such were tl^e lessons of my father.
Bat to me the remembrance of the
threat returned: nor can you wpnder,
that, onanipotent as the fiend had yet
been in his deeds of blood, I should al-
most regard him as invincible ; and that
wh^n he had pronounced the words^
" I shall be with you on your weddings
nighty*' I should regard the threatened
fate as unavoidable. But death was no
evil to me, if the loss of Elizabeth were
balanced ^yith it ; and I therefore, with
a contented a^nd even cheerful counte-
nance^ agreed with my father, that if
ijiy cousin would consent, the ceremony
should take place in ten days, and thus
put, as I imagined, the seal to my
fate.
Great God! if for one jnstant I
k2
y Google
196 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
6ad thought what might be the hellish
intention of my fiendish adversary, I
would rather have banished myself for
ever from my native country, and wan-
dered a friendless outcast over the earth,
than have consented to this miserable
marriage. But, as if possessed of
magic powers, the monster had blinded
me to his real intentions; and when I
thought that I prepared only my own
death, I hastened that of a far dearer
victim.
As the period fixed for our marriage
drew nearer, whether from cowardice
or a prophetic feeling, I felt my heart
sink within me. But I concealed my
feelings by an appearance of hilarity,
that brought smiles and joy to the coun-
tenance of my father, but hardly de-
ceived the ever- watchful and nicer eye
of Elizabeth. She looked forward to
'^ our union with placid contentment, not
>
y Google
THB MODEBN PROMETHEUS. 197
unmingled with a little fear, which past
misfortunes had impressed, that what
now appeared certain and tangible
happiness, might soon dissipate into
an airy dream, and leave no trace but
deep and everlasting regret.
Preparations were made for the event;
congratulatory visits were received ;
and all wore a smiling appearance. I
shut up^ as well as I could, in ray own
heart the anxiety that preyed there, and
entered with seeming earnestness into
the plans of my father, although they
might only serve as the decorations of
my tragedy. A house was purchased
for us near Cologny, by which we
should enjoy the pleasures of the
country, and yet be so near Geneva as
to see my father every day ; who would
still reside within the walls, for the
benefit of Ernest, that he might follow
his studies at the schools.
y Google
198 FRANKENSTEIN; OB,
In the mean time I took everj'
precaution to defend my person, in case
ihe fiend should openly attack me. I
carried pistols and a dagger constantly
about n\e, and was ever on the ^ateh
to prevent artifice; and by these means
gained a greater degree of tranquillity.
Indeed, as the period approached, the
threat appeared more as a delasion, not
to be regarded as worthy to disturb my
peace, while the happiness I hoped for
in my marriage wore a greater appeal*-
ance of certainty, as the day fixed for
its solemnization drew nearer, and I
heard it continually spoken of as ah
occurrence which no accident could
possibly prevent.
Elizabeth seemed happy ; my tran-
quil demeanour contributed greatly
to calni her mind. But on the day
that was to fulfil my wishes and
my destiny, she was melancholy, and
y Google
THE MOiXERN PROMETHEUS. 199
a presentiment of evil pervaded her;
and perhaps also she thought of the
dreadful secret, which I had promised
to reveal to her the following day. My
father was in the mean time overjoyed,
and, in the bustle of preparation, only
recognised in the melancholy of his niece
the diffidence of a bride.
After the ceremony was performed,
a large party assembled at my father's ;
but it was agreed that Elizabeth and I
should pass the afternoon and night at
Evian, and return to Cologny the next
morning. As the day was fair, and the
wind favourable, we resolved to go by
water.
Those were the last moments of my
life during which I enjoyed the feeling
of happiness. We passed rapidly along :
the sun was hot, but we wc^re sheltered
from its rays by a kind of canopy, while
we enjoyed the beauty of the scene.
y Google
2Q0 PRAKKENSTSIN ; OR,
sometimes on one side of the lake,
where we saw Mont Sal6ve, the plea-
sant banks of Montal6gre, and at a di-
stance, surmounting all, the beautiful
Mont Blanc, and the assemblage of
snowy mountains that in vain endea-
vour to emulate her; sometimes coast-
ing the opposite banks, we saw the
mighty Jura opposing its dark side to
the ambition that would quit its native
country, and an almost insurmountable
hairier to the invader who should wish
to enslave it.
I took the hand of Elizabeth : " You
are sorrowful, my love. Ah ! if you knew
what I have suffered, and what I may
yet endure, you would endeavour to let
me taste the quiet and freedom from
despair, that this one day at least per-
mits me to enjoy.'*
" Be happy, my dear Victor,'* re-
plied Elizabeth; " there is, I hope.
N ..„Goog.
^HS MODERN PROMETHEUS. SOi
nothing to distress you ; and be assured
that if a lively joy is not painted in my
face, my heart is contented. Something
vvhispei-s to me not to depend too much
on the prospect that is opened before
ns; but T will not listen to such a si-
nister voice. Observe how fast we
move along, and how the clouds which
sometimes obscure, and sometimes rise
above the dome of Mont Blanc, render
this scene of beauty still more interest-
ing. Look also at the innumerable
fish that are swimming in the clear
waters, where we can distinguish every
pebble that lies at the bottom. What a
divine day ! how happy and serene aU
nature appears !/*
Thus Elizabeth endeavoured to di-
vert her thoughts and mine from all re-
flection upon melancholy subjects. But
her temper was fluctuating; joy for a
few instants shone in her eyes, but it
k5
y Google
202 FEANKENSTEIN ; OE, ^
continuaHy gave place to distractiod
and reverie.
The sun sunk lower in the heavens;
we passed the river Drance, and ob-
served its path through the chasms of
the higher, and the glens of the lower
hills. The Alps here come closer to
the lake, and we approached the am-
phitheatre of mountains which forms
its eastern boundary. The spire of
Evian shone under the woods that
sun'ounded it, and the range of
mountain above mountain by which it
was overhung.
The wind, which had hitherto carried
us along with amazing rapidity, sunk at
sunset to a light breeze; the soft air
just ruffled the water, and caused a plea-
sant motion among the trees as we ap-
proached the shore, from which it
wafted the most delightful scent of
flowers and hay. The sun sunk be-
A
N
y Google
THE^ MODERN PROMETHEUS. SOS;
eath the horizon as we landed ; and
s I touched the shore, I felt those
ares and fears revive, which soon
vere to clasp me^ and cling to me
or ever.
y Google
204r FRAKKkNSTEIN ; OB^
CHAPTER XL
It W2L8 eight o'clock when we landed ;
we walked for a short time on the shore,
enjoying the transitory light, and then
retired to the inn, and contemplated
the lovely scene of waters, woods, and
mountains, obscured in darkness, yet
still displaying their black outlines.
. The wind, which had fallen in the
south, now rose with great violence in
the west. The moon had reached her
summit in the heavens, and was begin-
ning to descend; the clouds swept
across it swifter than the flight of the
vulture, and dimmed her rays, while
y Google
THE MODERH PROMETHEUS. SOB'
the lake reflected the scene of the busy
heavens, rendered still busier by the
restless waves that were beginning to
rise. Suddenly a heavy storm of rain
descended.
I had been calm during the day ; but
so soon as night obscured the shapes
of objects, a thousand fears arose in my
mind. I was anxious and watchful,'
while my right hand grasped a pistol
which was hidden in (ny bosom ; every
sound terrified me; but I resolved that
I would sell my life dearly, and not
shrink from the conflict until my own
life, or that of my adversary, was extin-
guished.
Elizabeth observed my agitation for
some time in timid and fearful silence ;
at length she said, ^* What is it that
agitates you, my dear Victor ? What is
it you fear ?"
" Oh ! peace, peace, my love/' re-
y Google
B06 FitAKK&KSTEIK ; Oti,
plied I, ^< this night, and all will be
safe: but this night is dreadful, very
dreadful/'
I passed an hour in this state of
mind, when suddenly I reflected how
dreadful the combat which I moment-
arily expected would be to my wife, and
I eaphestly entreated her to retire, re-
solving not to join her until I had ob-
tained some knowledge as to the situa-
tion of my enemy.
She left me, and I continued some
time walking up and down the passages
of the house, and inspecting every cor-
ner that might afford a retreat to my
adversary. But I discovered no trace
of him, and was beginning to conjec-
ture that some fortunate chance had
intervened to prevent the execution of
his menaces ; ^hen suddenly I heard a
shrill and dreadful scream. It came
from the room into which Elizabeth
y Google
THE XODBRK PROMETHEUS. 9DT:
had retired. As I heard it, the whole
truth rushed into my mind, my arms
dropped, the motion of every muscle
and fibre was suspended ; I could feel
the blood trickling in my veins, and
tingling in the extremities of my limbs.
This state lasted but for an instant ; the
scream was repeated, and I rushed inta
the room.
Great God! why did I not thea ex-
pire ! Why am I here to relate the
destruction of the best hope, and the
purest creature of earth. She was
there, lifeless and inanimate, thrown
across the bed, her head hanging down,
and her pale and distorted features half
covered by her hair. Every where I
turn I see the same figure — her blood-
less arms and relaxed form flung by
the murderer on its bridal bier. Could
I behold this, and live? Alas! life is
obstinate, and clings closest where it
y Google
908 franxekstein; on,
is most hated. For a moment only did
1 lose recollection ; I fainted.
When 1 recovered, I found myself
surrounded by the people of the inn;
their countenances expressed a breath-
less terror : but the horror of others
appeared only as a mockery, a shadow
of the feelings that oppressed me. I
escaped from them to the room where
lay the body of Elizabeth, my love,
toy wife, so lately living, so dear, so
Worthy. She had been moved from
the posture in which I had first beheM
her ; and now, as she lay, her head upon
her arm, and a handkerchief thrown
across her face and neck, I might have
supposed her asleep. I rushed towards
her, and embraced her with ardour ; but
the deadly languor and coldness of the
limbs told me, that what I now held in
my arms had ceased to be the Elizabeth
whom I had loved and cherished. The
y Google
THE.MOBERX PBOMETHEUS.
murderous tnark of the fiend's grasp
was on her ncMik, and the breath had
ceased to issue from her lips,
While I still hung over her in the
agony of despair, I happened to look
up.. The windows of the room had
before been darkened, and 1 felt a
kind of panic on seeing the pale yellow
light of the moon illuminate the cbs^m^
ber. The shutters had been thrown
back; and, with a sensation of horro?
not to be described, I saw at the open
window a figure the most hideous and
abhorred. A grin was on the face of
the monster ; he seemed to jeer, as with
his fiendish finger he pointed towards
the corpse of my wife. I rushed towards
the window, and drawing a pistol from
my bosom, shot ; but he eluded me,
leaped from his station, and, running
with the swiftness of lightning, plunged
into the lake.
y Google
ftlO FRANKENSTEIN; OB9
The report of the pistol brought a
crowd into the room. I pointed to the
spot where be had disappeared, and we
followed the track with boats ; nets were
cast, but in vain. After passing seve-
ral hours, we returned hopeless, most
of my companions believing it to have
been a form conjured up by my fancy.
After having landed, they proceeded to
search the country, parties going in
Afferent directions among the woods
ftnd vines.
I did not accompany them ; I was
exhausted: a film covered my eyes,
dnd my skin was parched with the heat
of fever. In this state I lay on a bed,
hardly conscious of ^ what had hap-
pened; my eyes wandered round the
room, as if to seek something that I had
lost.
At length 1 remembered that my fa-
ther would anxiously expect the return
N
y Google
THE MODEEN PEOMETHKUS. 2ir
of Elizabeth and myself and that X
muist return alone. This reflection
brought tears into my eyes, and I wejit
for a long time ; but my thoughts ram-
bled to various subjects, reflecting on
my misfortunes, and their cause. I
was bewildered in a cloud of wonder
and horror. The death of William,
the execution of Justine, the murder
of Cl^iTal, and lastly of my wife ; even
at that nioment I knew not that my
only remaining friends were safe froiri
the malignity of the fiend ; my father
even now might be writhing under his
grasp, and Ernest might be dead at hid
feet. This idea made me shudder, and
recalled me to action. I started up,
and resolved to return^ to Geneva with
all possible speed.
There were no horses to be pro-^
cured, and I must return by the lake ;
but the wind was unfavourable, and
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813 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
the rain fell in torrents. However, it
was hardly morning, and I might rea*
sonably hope to arrive by night. I
hired men to row, and took an oar
myself, for I had always experienced
relief from mental torment in bodily
exercise. But the overflowing misery
I now felt, and the excess of agitation
that I endured, rendered me incapable
of any exertion. I threw down the oar ;
and, leaning my head upon my hands,
gave way to every gioomy idea that
arose. If I looked up, I saw the scenes
which were familiar to me in my hap-
pier time, and which I had contem-
plated but the day before in the com*
pany of her who was now but a shadow
and a recollection. Tears streamed
flrom my eyes. The rain had ceased for
a moment, and I saw the fish play in
the waters as they had done a few hours
before ; they had then been observed
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 21S
by Elizabeth. Nothing is so painful
to the human mind as a great and sud-
den change. The sun might shine, or
the clouds might lour; but nothing
Could appear to me as it had done the
day before. A fiedd had snatched from
me every hope of future happiness: no
creature had ever been so niiserable as
I was; so frightful an event is single
in the history of man.
. But why should I dwell upon the in-
cidents that followed this last over-
whelming event. Mine has been a
tale of horrors; I have reached their
aeme^ and what I must now relate can
but be tedious to you. Know that,
one by one, my friends were snatched
away; I was left desolate. My own
strength is exhaiisted ; and I must tell,
in a few words, what remains of my
hideous narration.
I arrived at Geneva. My father and
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314 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
Ernest yet lived ; but the former sunk
under the tidings that i bore. I see
him now, excellent and venerable old
man ! his eyes wandered in vacancy, for
they had lost their charm and their de-
light — his niece, his more than daugh-
ter, whom he doated on with all that af-
fection which a man feels, who, in the de-
Qline of life, having few affections, clings
more earnestly to those that remain.
Cursed, cursed be the fiend that brought
misery on his grey hairs, and doomed
him to waste in wretchedness! He
could not live under the horrors that
were accumulated around himj an
apoplectic fit was brought on, and in
a few days he died in my arms.
What then became of me ? I know
not; I lost sensation, and chains and
darkness were the only jpjbjects that
pressed up99 jai^ ^ Sometimes, indeed,
I dre^t that I wapdwed ia flowery
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. $15
meadows atid pleasant vales with the
friends of my youth ; but I awoke, and
fouud myself in a dungeon. Melan-
choly followed, but by degrees I gained
a clear conception of my miseries and
situation, and was then released from
my prison. For they had called me
mad ;■ and during many months, as I
understood, a solitary cell had been my
habitation.
Lib^ty, however, had been an useless
gift to me, had I not, as I awakened to
reason, at the same time awakened to
revenge. As the memory of past mis-
fortunes pressed upon me, I b^an to
reflect on their cause^ — the monster
whom I had created, the miserable dae-
mon whom I had sent abroad into the
world for my destruction. I was pos-
sessed by a maddening rage when 1
thought of him, and desired and ar^
dently prayed that I might have. him
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$16 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
within my grasp to wreak a great and
signal revenge on his cursed head.
Nor did my hate long confine itself
to useless wishes ; I began to reflect on
the liest means of securing him ; and
for this piurpose, about a month after
my release, I repaired to a criminal
judge in the town, and told him that I
had an accusation to make ; that I knew
the destroyer of my family ; and that
1 required him to exert his whole au-
thority foi' the apprehension of the
murderer.
The magistrate listened to me with
attention and kindness : ^^ Be assured,
sir,** said he, " no pa4ns or exertions
on my part shall be spared to discover
the villain/*
*' I thank you,** replied 1 ; " listen,
therefore, to the deposition that I have
to make. It is indeed a tale so irtrange,
that I should fear you would not credit
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YHB MODEEH PROMETHEUS. ^17
it) were there not something in truth
whieh, however wonderful, forces con-
vi0;ion. The story is too connected to
iie mistaken for a dream, and I have no
motive for falsehood." My manner, as
I thus addressed him, was impressive,
but calm; I had formed in my own
"lieart a resolution to pursue my de^
stroyer to death ; and this purpose
quieted my agony, and for an interval
reconciled me to life, I now related
my history briefly, -but with firmness
and precision, marking the dates with
accuracy, and never deviating into in-
vective or exclamation.
The magistrate appeared at first per>-
fectly incredulous, but as I continued
he became more attentive ^pd inte^
rested; I saw him sometimes shudder
with horror, at others a lively surprise,
unmingled with disbelief, was pain^
on his countenance. ^
VOL. II. I.
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218 FRANKENSTEIN; ORy :
When I had conclnded my narration,
I said, '^ This is the being whom I ao
cuse, and for whose detection and pu-
nishment I call upon 3you to exert your
whole power. It is your duty as a ma^
gistrate, and I believe and hope that
yoiir feelings as a man will not revolt
from the execution of those functions
on this occasion/'
This address caused a considerable
change in the physiognomy of my
auditor* He had heard my story with
that half kind of belief that is given to
a tale of spirits and supernatural events ;
but when he was called upon to act
officially in consequence, the whole
tide of his incredulity returned. He,
however, answered mildly, " I would
willingly afford you every aid in your
pursuit; but the creature of whom you
speak appears to have poWetrs which
would put all my exertions to defiance.
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THE VLODEKS PROKSTTHEUS. Sf9
Who can follow an animal which can
traverse the sea of ice, and inhabit
caves and dens, wliere no man would
venture to intrude? Besides, some
months have elapsed siiice the com''
mission of his crimes, and no one can
conjecture to what place he fa&s wan*
dered, or what region he mcay now
inhabit/'
"I do not doubt that he hovers
ne4r the spot which I inhabit; and if
he has indeed taken refuge in the
Alps, he may be hunted like the
chamois, and destroyed as a beast of
prey. But I perceive your thotights:
you do not credit my narrative, and
do not intend to pursue my enemy
with the punishment which is his
desert/'
As I spoke, rage sparkled in my
eyes; the magistrate was intimidated:
" You are mistaken/* said he, " I will
l2
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280 FRANKENSTEIN ; OR,
exert myself; and if it is in my power
to s^ize the monster, be assured that
he shall suffer punishment proportion-
ate to his crimes. But I fear, from
what you have yourself described to
be his properties, that this will prove
impracticable; and thus, while every
proper measure is pursued, you should
make up your mind to disappoint-
ment."
^' That cannot be; but all that I
can say will be of little avail. My
revenge is of no moment to you ; yet,
while I allow it to be a vice, I confess
that it is the devouring and only pas-
sion of my soul. My rage is unspeak-
able, when I reflect that the murderer,
whom I have turned loose upon so^
ciety, still exists. You refuse my just
demand: I have but one resource; and
I devote myself, either in my life or
death, to his destruction.'"
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THB ICODBEK mOMBTHBUS. SSI
I trembled with excess of agitation as
I said this j there was a phrenzy in my
manner, and something, I doabt not,
of that haughty fierceness, which the
martyrs of old are said to have possessed.
But to a Genevan magistrate, whose
mind was occupied by far other ideas
than those of devotion and heroism, thm
elevation of mind had much the appear-
ance of madness. He endeavoured to
soothe me as a nurse does a child, and
reverted to my tale as the effects of de-
lirium.
'^ Man," I cried, " how ignomnt art
thou in thy pride of wisdom! Gease;
you know not what it is you say."
I broke from the house angry and
disturbed, and retired to meditate on
sbme other modb of action.
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S22 JTEANKENSTEnr; OS,
CHAPTER XIL
• My present situation was one in which
aH voluntary thought was swallowed up
and lost, I was hurried away by fury ;
revenge alone endowed me with strength
and composure; it moulded my feeU
ings, and allowed me to be calculating
and calm, at periods when otbei^wise
delirium or death would have been my
portion.
My first resolution was to quit
Geneva for ever; my country, which,
when I was happy and beloved, was
dear to me, now, in my adversity, be-
came hateful. I provided myself with
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THB MODERN PROMSTHBU3. SS5
a sum of money, together with a few
jewels which had belonged to my
mother, and departed.
And now my wanderings began,
which are to cease but with life. I
have traversed a vast portion of the
earth, and have endured all the bard-
ships which travellers, in deserts and
barbarous countries, are wont to meet.
How I have lived I hardly know ; n^any
times havie I stretqhed my failing limbs
upon the sandy plain, and prayed for.
death. But revenge kept me alive ; I
dated not die, and leave my adversary
in being.
When I quitted Geneva, my first
labour was to gain some clue by which
I might trace the steps of my fiendish
^nemy. 3ut my plan was unsettled ;
and I wandered many hours round
the confine^ of the town, uncertain
what path I should pursue. As night
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22ff FBANXEK5TEIK; OR,
approached, 1 found myself at the dti^
trance of the cemetery 'where WS-
Ham, Elizabeth, and my fkther, re*
posed. I entered it, and approached
the tomb which marked their graves/
Every thing was silent, except the
teaves of the trees, which were gently
agitiated by the wind ; the night was
nearly dark ; and the scene would have
been solemn and afiecting even to an
nninterested observer. The spirits of
the departed seemed to flit around, and
to cast a shadow, which was felt but
not seen, around the bead of the
mourner.
The deep grief which this scene bad
kt first excited quickly gave way to
rage and despair. They were dead,
and I lived ; their murderer also lived,
and to destroy him I must drag out my
weary existence. I knelt on the grass,
and kissed the earth, and with quiver*
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THE MOPERN FROfllETHEUS. 385
ing lips exclaimed, '* By the sacred
€lirth on which I kneel, by the shades
that wander near me, by the deep add
eternal grief that I feel, I swear; and
by thee, O Night, and the spirits that
preside over thee, to pursue the dae-
mon, who caused this misery^ until he
or I shall perish in mortal conflict.
For this purpose I will preserve my
life : to execute this dear revenge, wrll
I i^ain behold the sun, and tread the
green herbage of earth, which other-
wise should vanish from my eyes for
ever. And I call on you, spirits of the
dead ; and on you, wandering ministers
of vengeance, to aid and conduct me
in my work. Let the cursed and hell-
ish monster drink deep of agony; let
him feel the despair that now torments
me.
I had begun my adjuration with
solemnity, and an awe which almost
L0
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SS6 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
assured me that the shades of my
murdered friends heard and approved
my devotion; but the furies possessed
me as I concluded, and rage cboaked
my utterance.
I was answered through the stillness
of night by a loud and fiendish laugh.
It rung on my ears long and heavily ;
the mountains re-echoed it, and I felt
as if all hell surrounded me with
mockery and laughter. Surely in that
moment I should have been possessed
by phrenzy, and have destroyed my
miserable existence^ but that my vow
was heard, and that I was reserved for
vengeance. The laughter died away;
when a well-known and abhorred voice,
apparently close to my ear, addressed
me in an audible whisper — " I am
satisfied : miserable wretch ! you have
determined to live, and I am satis-
fied/'
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THE MO0S&N PBOMSTHEUS. ^7
I darted towards the spot from ^hich
the sound proceeded; but the devil
eluded my grasp. Suddenly the broad
disk of the moon arose, and shone full
upon his ghastly and distorted shape,
as he fled mth more than mortal
speed.
I pursued him ; aud for many months
this has been my task. Guided by a
slight clue, I followed the windings of
the Rhone, but vainly. The blue Me-^
diterranean appeared ; and, by a strange
chance, I saw the fieiMi enter by night,
and hide himself in a vessel bound for
the Black Sea. I took my passage in
the same ship ; but he escaped, I know
not how.
, Amidst the wilds of Tartary and
Russia, although he still evaded me,
I have ever followed in his track.
Sometimes the peasants, scared by this
horrid apparition^ informed me of his
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path; sometiin^s he himself, who feared
that if I lost all trace of him, I should
despair and die, left some mark to guide
me. The snows descended on my
head, and I saw the print of his huge
step on the white plain. To you first
entering on life, to whom care is new,
and agony unknown, how can you un-
derstand what I have felt, and still feel ?
Cold, want, and fatigue, were the least
pains which I was destined to endure;
I was cursed by some devil, and carried
about with me my eternal hell ; yet
still a spirit of good followed and
directed my steps, and, when I most
murmured, would suddenly extricate
me from seemingly insurmountable
difficulties. Sometimes, when nature,
overcome by hunger, sunk under the
exhaustion, a repast was prepared for
me in the desert, that restored and
inspirited me. The fare was indeed
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THE HODSKN PR0HETHIU8. SS&
coafse, such as the peasants of the
country ate; but I will not doubt that
it was set there by the spirits that I had
invoked to aid me. Often, when all was
dry, the heavens cloudless, and I was
parched by thirst, a slight cloud would
bedim the sky, shed the few drops that
revived me, and vanish.
I followed, when I could, the courses
of the rivers ; but the daemoja generally
avoided these, as it was here that the
population of the country chiefly col-
lected. In other places human beings
were seldom seen ; and I generally sub-
sisted on the wild animals that crossed
my path. I had money with me, and
gained the friendship of the villagers
by distributing it ; or I brought with nie
some food that I had killed, which, after
taking a small part, I always presented
to those who had provided -me with fire
and utensils for cooking.
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380 VRANKEN8TEIV ; OR,
My life, as it passed thus, was indeed
hateful to me, and it was during^ sleep
alone that I could taste joy. O blessed
sleep! often, when most miserable, I
sank to repose, und my dreams lulled
me even to rapture* The spiiits that
guarded me had provided these mo*
ments, or rather hours, of happiness^
that I might retain strength to fulfil my
pilgrimage. Deprived of this respite, i
should have sunk under my hardships.
During the day I was sustained and in-
spirited by the hope of night: for in
sleep I saw my friends, my wife, and
my beloved country; again I saw the
benevolent countenance of my father^
heard the silver tones of my Elizabeth's
voice, and beheld Clerval enjoying health
and youth. Often, when wearied by a
toilsome march, I persuaded myself that
I was dreaming until night should come,
and that I should then enjc^ reality in
A
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THB llOBeRK PROMETHEUS. SSI
the arms of my dearest Mends. Wlml
agonizing fondness did I feel for them!
bow did I cling to their dear forms, as
sometimes they haunted e?en my waking
hours, and persuade myself that they
atill lived ! At such moments vengeance,
that barned within me, died in my
heart, and I pursued my path towards
the destruction of the daemon, more as a
task enjoined by heaven, as the me-
chanical impulse of some power of which
I was unconscious, than as the ardent
desire of my soul.
What his feelings were whom I pur-
sued, I cannot know. Sometimes, in-
deed, he left marks in writing on the
barks of the trees, or cut in stone, that
guided me, and instigated my fury.
^' My reign is not yet over," (these words
were legible in one of these inscrip-
tions); "you live, and my power is
complete. Follow me ; I seek the ever-
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88S FKANKEKSTEIN ; OR^
lasting ices of the north, where you wilt
feel the misery of cold and frost, to
which I am impassive. You will find
near this place, if you follow not too tar-
dily, a dead hare ; eat, and be refreshed.
Come on, my enemy; we have yet to
wrestle for our lives ; but many hard and
miserable hours must you endure, until
that period shall arrive/'
Scoffing devil ! Again do I vow ven-
geance ; again do I devote thee, mise-
rable fiend, to torture and death. Never
will I give up my search, until he or I
perish ; and then with what ecstacy shall
I join my Elizabeth, and my departed
friends, who even now prepare for me
the reward of my tedipus toil and hor-
rible pilgiimage.
As 1 still pursued my journey to the
northward, the snows thickened, and
the cold increased in a degree almost
too severe to support. The peasants
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TH£ MODKftK PROMETHfiUS. 283
WeVe shut up in their hovels^ and only a
few of the most hardy ventured forth to
8ei2e the animals whom starvation had
forced from their hiding-places to setek
for prey. The rivers wer6 covered with
ice, and no fish could be procured ; and
thu^ I was cut off from my chief article
of maintenance.
The triumph of my enemy increased
with the difficulty of my labours. One
inscription that he left was in these
words : " Prepare ! your toils only be*
gin : wrap yourself in furs, and provide
food, for we shall soon enter upon a
journey where your sufferings will satisfy
my everlasting hatred.*'
My courage and perseverance were
invigorated by these scoffing words; I
resolved not to faiJ in iny purpose ; and,
calling on Heaven to support me, 1 con-
tinued with unabated fervour to traverse
immense deserts, until the ocean ap*
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peared at a distance, and fin'med the
utmost boundary of the horizon. Oh!
bow unlike it was to the blue seas of
the south I Covered with ice, it was
only to be distinguished from land by
Its superior wildness and ruggedness.
The Greeks wept for joy when they be-
held the Mediterranean from the hills
pf Asia, and hailed with rapture the
boundary of their toils, I did not weep j
but I knelt down^ and", with a full hear^
thanked my guiding spirit for conduct-
ing me in safety to the place where I
hoped, notwithstanding my adversary's
gibe, to meet and grapple with him.
Some weeks before this period I had
procured a sledge and dogs^ and thus
traversed the snows with inconceivable
speed. I know not whether the fiend
possessed the same advantages ; but I
found that, as before I had daily lost
ground in the pursuit^ I now gained on
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THK MODEBlf PBOMETHEUS. S$5
bim; 80 much so, that when I first saw
the ocean, he was but one day's journey
id advance, and I hoped to intercept
him before he should reach the beach*
With new courage, therefore, 1 pressed
Dn> and in two days arrived at a wretched
hamlet on the sea-shore. 1 inquired of
the inhabitants concerning the fiend^
and gained accurate information. A
^gantic monster^ they said, had arrived
the night before, armed with a gim and
many pistols; putting to flight the in-
habitants of a solitary cottage, through
fear of his terrific appearance. He had
carried off their store of winter food,
and, placing it in a sledge, to draw
which he had seized on a numerous
drove of trained dogs, he bad harnessed
them, and the same night, to the joy of
the horror-struck villagers, had pursued
his journey across the sea in a direction
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^86 frankekstbin; 0B|
that led to no land ; and they conjectured
that he must speedily be destroyed b^
the breaking of the ice, or frozen by th^
eternal frosts.
Oti hearing this information, I suf-
fered a temporary access of despair. He
bad escaped me ; and I must commence
a destructive and almost endless journey
across the mountainous ices of the ocean,
-"•-amidst cold that few of the inhabitants
could long endure, and which I, the
native of a genial and i^unny climatic
could not hope to survive. Yet at the
idea that the fiend should live and be
triumphant, my rage and vengeance re-
turned, and, like a mighty tide, over-
whelmed every other feeling. Afiter a
slight repose, during which the spirits
of the dead hovered round, and insti-
gated me to toil and revenge^ I prepared
for my journey.
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tHE MODERN PROMETHEUS. ^7
I exchanged my land sledge for one
]fo&hioned for the inequalities of the
frozen ocean ; and, purchasing a plenti-
ful stock of provisions, I departed from
land.
I cannot guess how many days have
passed since then; but I have endured
misery, which nothing but the eternal
sentiment of a just retribution burning
within my heart could have enabled
ine to support. Immense and rugged
mountains of ice often barred up my
passage, and I often heard the thunder
of the ground sea, which threatened my
destruction. But egain the frost came,
and made the paths of the sea secure.
By the quantity of provision which
I had consumed, I should guess that I
had passed three weeks in this journey ;
and the continual protraction of hope,
returning back upon the heart, ofteik
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ft88 peankenstein; ovl, ^
yroi^ bitter drops of despondency and
grief from my eyes. Despair had indeed
almost secured her prey, and I should
soon have sunk beneath this misery.
Once, after the poor animals that convey?
ed me had with incredible toil gained the
summit of a sloping ice-mountain^ and
one, sinking under his &tigxie,.died, I
Tiewed the expanse before me with an-
guish, when suddenly my eye caught a
dark speck upon the dusky plain. I
straified my sight to discover vir hat it
could be, and uttered a wild cry of
ecstacy when I distinguished a sledge,
and the distorted proportions of a well.-
Unown form within. Oh f with what a
burning gush did hope revisit my heart !
warm tears filled my eyes, which I
hastily wiped ^way, that they miglit not
intercept the view I had of the dcemon ;
but still my sight was dimmed by tiie
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THE MODERN PEOMBTHEUS. S39
burning drops, until^ giving way to the
amotions that oppressed me, I wept
aloud.
But this was not the tinae for delay:
I disencumbered the dogs of their dead
companion, gave them a plentiful por-
tion of food ; and, after an hour's rest,
which was absolutely necessary, and yet
which was bitterly irksome to me, I con-
tinued my route. The sledge was still
viable ; nor did I again lose sight of it,
except at the moments when for a short
time some ice-rock concealed it with ite
intervening crag«. I indeed perceptibly
gained on it; and when, after nearly
two days' journey, I beheld my enemy
at no more than a mile distant, my
heart bounded within me.
But now, when I appeared almost
within grasp of my enemy, my hopes
were suddenly extinguished, and I lost
all trace of him more utterly than I had
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240 FaAKKENStEIN ; 0A| .
efrer done before.. A ground sea was
heard ; the thunder of its progress, as
the waters rolled and swelled beneath
me, became every moment more ominous
and terrific. I pressed on, but in vaii).
The wind arose ; the sea roared ; and,
as with the mighty shock of an earth-
quake, it split, and cracked with a tre*
m^ndousand overwhelming sound. Tl^
work was soon finished : in a few minutes
a tumultuous sea rolled between me and
my enemy, and I was left drifting on a
scattered piece of ice, that was con-
tinually lessening, and thus preparing
for me a hideous death.
In this manner many appalling hours
passed; several of my dogs died; and
I myself was. about' to sink under the
accumulation of distress, when I saw
your vessel riding at anchor, and hold-
ing forth to me hopes of succour and
life. I had no conception that vessels
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THE MQDEEN PROMETHEUS. 241
ever came so far north, and was astounded
at the sight. I quickly destroyed part of
my sledge to construct oars; and by
these means was enabled, with infinite
fatigue, to move my ice-raft in the di-
rection of your ship, I had determined,
if you were going southward, still to
trust myself to the mercy of the seas
rather than abandon my purpose. J
hoped to induce you to grant me a boat
with which I could pursue my enemy.
But your direction was northward. You
took me on board when> my vigour was
exhausted, and I should soon have sunk
under my multiplied hardships into a
death which I still dread — for my task
is unfulfilled.
Oh ! when will my guiding spirit, in
conducting me to the daemon, allow me
the rest I so much desire; or must I
die, and he yet live ? If I do, swear to
me, Walton, that he shall not escape ;
VOL. II. M
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24S FRANKENSTEIN; OB,
that you will seek him, and satisfy my
vengeance in his death. And do I dare
to ask of you to undertake my pilgrim-
age, to endure the hardships that I have
undergone ? No ; I am not so selfish.
Yet, when I am dead, if he should
appear;, if the ministers of vengeance
should conduct him to you, swear that
he shall not live — swear that he shall
not triumph over my accumulated woes,
and survive to make another such wretch
as I am. He is eloquent and persuasive;
and once his words had even power over
my heart : but trust him not. . His soul
is as hellish as his form, full of treachery
and fiend -like malice. Hear him not ;
call on the manes of William, Justine,
Clerval, Elizabeth, my fjather, and of
the wretched Victor, and thrust your
sword into his heart. I will hover near,
and direct the steel aright.
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 243
Walton, in continuation.
August 26th, 17—.
You have read this strange and ter-
rific story, Margaret; and do you not
feel your blood congeal with horror,
like that which even now curdles mine ?
Sometimes, seized with sudden agony,
he could not continue his tale; at
others, his voice broken, yet piercing,
uttered with difficulty the words so re-
plete with agony. His fine and lovely
eyes were now lighted up with indig-
nation, now subdued to downcast sor-
row, and quenched in infinite wretched-
ness. Sometimes he commanded his
countenance and tones, and related the
most horrible incidents with a tranquil
voice, suppressing every mark of agi-
M 2
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244 frankensteik; ok,
tation; then, like a volcano bursting
forth, his face would suddenly change
to an expression of the wildest rage, as
he shrieked out imprecations on his
persecutor.
His tale is connected, and told with
an appearance of the simplest truth;
yet i own to you that the letters of Felix
and Safie, which he showed me, and the
apparition of the monster seen from our
ship, brought to me a greater conviction
of the truth of his narrative than his as-
severations, however earnest and con-
nected. Such a monster has then really
existence ! I cannot doubt it ; yet I am
lost in surprise and adniiration. Some-
times I endeavoured to gain from Frank-
enstein the particulars of his creature's
formation : but on this point he was im-
enetrable.
je you mad, my friend ?" said he-
lper does your senseless curio-
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 245
sity lead you ? Would you also create
for yourself and the world a demoniacal
enemy? Peace, peace! learn my mi-
series, and do not seek to increase
your own.'*
Frankenstein discovered that I made
notes concerning his history : he asked
to see them, and then himself corrected
and augmented them in many places ;
but principally in giving the life and
spirit to the conversations he held with
his enemy. " Since you have pre-
served my narration,'* said he, *^ I would
not that a mutilated one should go
down to posterity/*
Thus has a week passed away, while
I have listened to the strangest tale
that ever imagination formed. My
thoughts, and every feeling of my soul,
have been drunk up by the interest for
my guest, which this tale, and his own
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246 FRANKENSTEIN; OE,
elevated and gentle mannei'S have cre-
ated. I wish to soothe him ; yet can I
counsel one so infinitely miserable, so
destitute of every hope of consolation^
to live ? Oh, no ! the only joy that
he can novi^ know will be when he
composes his shattered spirit to peace
and death. Yet he enjoys one comfort,
the offspring of solitude and delirium :
he believes, that, when in dreams he
holds converse with his friends, and
derives from that communion consola-
tion for his miseries, or excitements to
his vengeance, that they are not the
creations of his fancy, but the beings
themselves who visit him from the re-
gions of a remote world. This faith
gives a solemnity to his reveries that
render them to me almost as imposing
and interesting as truth.
Our conversations are not always
confined to his own history and mis-
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THE MODEEN PEOMETHEUS. 247
fortunes. On every point of general
literature he displays unbounded know-
ledge, and a quick and piercing appre-
hension. His eloquence is forcible and
touching; nor can I hear him, when
he relates a pathetic incident, or en-
deavours to move the passions of pity
or love, without tears. What a glo-
rious creature must he have been in
the days of his prosperity, when "he is
thus noble and godlike in ruin. He
seems to feel his own worth, and the
greatness of his fall.
''When younger," said he, " I be-
lieved myself destined for some great
enterprise. My feelings are profound ;
but I possessed a coolness of judgment
that fitted me for illustrious achieve-
ments. This sentiment of the worth
of my nature supported me, when others
would have been oppressed ; for I deem-
ed it criminal to throw away in useless
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248 FRANKENSTEIN ; OR,
grief those talents that might be useful
to my fellow- creatures. When 1 re-
flected on the work I had completed,
no less a one than the creation of a sen*
sitive and rational animal, I could not
rank myself with the herd of common
projectors. But this thought, which sup*
ported me in the commencement of my
career, now serves only to plunge me
lower in the dust. All my speculations
and hopes are as nothing ; and, like the
archangel who aspired to omnipotence,
I am chained in an eternal hell. My
imagination was vivid, yet my powers of
analysis and application were intense ; by
the union of these qualities I conceived
the idea, and executed the creation of
a man. Even now I cannot recollect,
without passion, my reveries while the
work was incomplete. I trod heaven
in my thoughts, now exulting in iiiy
powers, now burning with the idea ai
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 249
their eflfects. From my infancy I was
imbued with high hopes and a lofty
ambition ; but how am I sunk ! Oh !
my friend, if you had known me as I
once was, you would not recognize me
in this state of degradation. Despond,
ency rarely visited my heart; a high
destiny seemed to bear me on, until I
fell, never, never again to rise.'*
Must I then lose this admirable
being ? I have longed for a friend ; I
have sought one who would sympathize
with and love me. Behold, on these
desert seas I have found such a one ;
but, I fear, I have gained him only to
know his value, and lose him. I would
reconcile him to life, but he repulses
the idea.
^ " ]L thank you, Walton,"' he said
** for your kind intentions towards so
miserable a wretch j but when you
speak of new ties, and fresh affections,
M 5
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S50 FRANKENSTEIN; OB,
think you that any can replace those
who are gone ? Can any man be to
me as Clerval was ; or any woman
another Elizabeth? Even where the
affections are not strongly moved by any
superior excellence, the companions -of
our childhood always possess a certain
power over our minds^ which hardly
any later friend can obtain. They
know our infantine dispositions, which,
however they may be afterwards mo-
dified, are never eradicated : and they
can judge of our actions with more
certain conclusions as to the integrity
of our motives. A sister or a brother
can never, unless indeed such symp-
toms have been shown early, suspect
the other of fraud or false dealing,
when another friend, however strongly
he may be attached, may, in spite of
himself, be contemplated with suspicion.
But I enjoyed friends, dear not only
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THIL MODERN PROMETHEUS. 251
through habit and association^ but from
their own merits ; and wherever I am,
the soothing voice of my Elizabeth,
and the conversation of Clerval, will
be ever whispered in my ear. They
are dead ; and but one feeling in such
a solitude can persuade me to preserve
my life. If I were engaged in any
high undertaking or design, fraught
with extensive utility to my fellow-
creatures, then could I live to fulfil it.
But such is not my destiny ; I must pur-
sue and destroy the being to whom I
gav^ existence ; then my lot on earth
will be fulfilled, and I may die."
September 2d.
MY BELOVED SISTER,
I write to you, encompassed ,by
peril, and ignorant whether I am ever
doomed to see again dear England, and
the dearer friends that inhabit it. I
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8S3 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
am surrounded by mountains of ice,
which admit of no escape, and threaten
every moment to crush my vessel. The
brave fellows, whom I have persuaded
to be my companions, look towards me
for aid ; but I have none to bestow.
There is something terribly appalling
in our situation, yet my courage and'
hopes do not desert me. We may
survive ; and if we do not, I will repeat
the lessons of my Seneca, and die with
a good heart.
Yet what, Margaret, will be the
state of your mind ? You will not hear
of my destruction, and you will anx-
iously await my return. Years wiH
pass, and you will have visitrags of
despair, and yet be tortured by hope.
Oh ! my beloved sister, the sickening
failing of your heart-felt expectations
is, in prospect, more terrible to me
than my own death. But you have a
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 853
husband, atid lovely children ; you may
be happy : teaven bless you, and nmke
you so !
My unfortunate guest regards me
i^ith the tenderest compassion. He
endeavours to fill me with hope ; and
talks as if life were a possession which
he valued. He reminds me how often
the same accidents have happened to
other navigators, who have attempted
this sea, and, in spite of myself, he fills
me with cheerful auguries. Even the
sailors feel the power of his eloquence :
when he speaks, they no longer despair ;
be rouses their energies, and, while
they hear his voice, they believe these
vast mountains^ of ice are mole-hills,
which will vanish before the resolutions
t>f man. These feelings are transitory ;
«ach day of expectation delayed fills
them with fear, and I almost dread a
mutiny caused by this despair.
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254 FRANKENSTEIN; OE,
September 5th«
A scene has just passed of such
uncommon interest, that although it is
highly probable that these papers may
never reach you, yet I cannot forbear
recording it.
We are still surrounded by moun-
tains of ice, still in imminent danger
of being crushed in their conflict.
The cold is excessive, and many of
my unfortunate comrades have already
found a grave amidst this scene of
desolation. Frankenstein has daily
declined in health : a feverish fire stiil
glimmers in his eyes; but he is ex-
hausted, and, when suddenly roused to
any exertion, he speedily sinks again
into apparent lifelessness.
I mentioned in my last letter the
fears I entertained of a mutiny. This
morning, as I sat watching the wan
countenance of my friend — his eyes
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 255
half closed, and his limbs hanging
listlessly, — I was roused by half a dozen
of the sailors, who demanded admission
into the cabin. They entered, and thejr
Jeader addressed me. He told me that
he and his companions had been chosen
by the other sailors to come in depu-
tation to me, to make me a requisition,
which, in justice, I could not refuse.
We were immured in ice, and should
probably never escape ; but they feared
Jbat if, as was possible, the ice should
dissipate, and a free passage be opened,
I should be rash enough to continue
my voyage, and lead them into fresh
dangers, after they might happily have
surmounted this. They insisted, there-
fore, that I should engage with a so-
lemn promise, that if the vessel should
be freed I would instantly direct my
course southward.
This speech troubled me. I had
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856 FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
not despaired ; nor had I yet conceiyed
the idea of returning, if set free. Yet
could I, in justice, or even in possi*
foility, refuse this demand ? I hesitated
before I answered ; when Frankenstein,
who had at first been silent, and, in-
deed, appeared hardly to have force
enough to attend, now roused himself;
his eyes sparkled, and his cheeks
flushed with momentary vigour* Turn-
ing towards the men, he said—
" What do you mean ? What do
you demand of your captain ? Are
you then so easily turned from your
design? Did you not call this a glo-
rious expedition ? and wherefore was it
glorious ? Not because the Way was
smooth and placid as a southern sea,
but because it was full of dangers and
terror ; because, at every new incident,
your fortitude was to be called forth,
and your courage exhibited ; because
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 257
danger and death surrounded, and
these you were to brave and over-
come. For this was it a glorious, for
Ihis was it an honourable undertaking.
You were hereafter to be hailed as
the benefactors of yotir species ; your
names adored, as belonging to brave
men who encountered death for honour
and the benefit of mankind. And
now, behold, with the first imagination
of danger, or, if you will, the first
mighty and terrific trial of your cou-
rage, you shrink away, and are content
to be handed down as men who had
not strength enough to endure cold
and peril ; and so, poor souls, they
were chilly, and returned to their warm
fire-sides. Why, that requires not this
preparation ; ye need not have come
thus far, and dragged your captain to
the shame of a defeat, merely to prove
yourselves cowards. Oh! be men, or
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268 FRANKENSTEIN; OE,
be more than men. Be steady to your
purposes, and firm as a rock. This ice
is not made of such stuff as your hearts
may be ; it is mutable, cannot with-
stand you, if you say that it shall not.
Do not return to your families with the
stigma of disgrace mai-ked on your
brows. Return, as heroes who have
fought and conquered, and who know
not what it is to turn their backs on
the foe.'*
He spoke this with a voice so modu-
lated to the different feelings expressed
in his speech, with an eye so full of
lofty design and heroism, that can you
wonder that these men were moved.
They looked at one another, and were
unable to reply. I spoke ; I told them
to retire, and consider of what had been
said : that I would not lead them
further north, if they strenuously de-
sired the contraiy ; but that I hoped
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 859
that, with reflection, their courage would
return.
They retired, and I turned towards
my friend ; but he was sunk in languor,
and almost deprived of life.
How all this will terminate, I know
not ; but I had rather die, than return
shamefully, — my purpose unfulfilled.
Yet I fear such will be my fate ; the
men, un3upported by ideas of glory
and honour, *can never willingly con-
tinue to endure their present hard-
September 7 th.
The die is cast ; I have consented to
return, if we are not destroyed. Thus
are my hopes blasted by cowardice and
indecision ; I come back ignorant and
disappointed. It requires more philo*
sophy than I possess, to bear this in-
justice with patience.
y Google
860 )?RANKENSTEIX ; OE,
September 1^.
It is past; I am returning ta Eng-
land. I have lost my hopes of utility
and glory; — I have lost my friend.
But I will endeavour to detail these
bitter circumstances to you, my dear
sister ; and, while I am wafted towards
England, and towards you, I will not
despond.
September 9th, the ice began to
move, and roarings like thunder were
heard at a distance, as the islands
split and cracked in every direction-
We were in the most imminent peril;
but, as we could only remain passive,
my chief attention was occupied by my
unfortunate guest, whose illness in-
creased in such a degree, that he was
entirely confined to his bed. The ice
cracked behind us, and was driven with
force towards the north ; a breeze
sprung from the west, and on the 11th
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THE MOD£AN FROxMETHEUS. 961
the passage towards the soath became
perfectly free. When the sailors saw
this, and that their return to their native
country was apparently assured, a shout
of tumultuous joy^ broke from them,
loud and long^continued. Frankenstein;
who was dozing, awoke, and a^ked the
cause of the tumult. " They shout," I
said, " because they will soon return to
England/'
" Do you then really return ?"
^' Alas ! yes ; I cannot withstand their
demands. I cannot lead them unwill-
ingly to danger, and I must return/*
'' Do so, if you will ; but I will not.
You may give up your purpose; but
mine is assigned to me by Heaven, and
I dare not. I am weak ; but surely the
spirits who assist my velageance will
endow me with sufficient strength."
Saying this, he endeavoured to spring
from the bed, but the exertion was
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26S FRANKENSTEIN; OR,
too great for bim; he fell back, and
fainted.
It was long before he was restored ;
and I often thought that life was entirely
extinct. At length he opened his eyes ;
he breathed with difficulty, and was un-
able to speak. The surgeon gave hiin
a composing draught, and ordered us to
leave him undisturbed. In the mean
time he told me, that my friend had cer-
tainly not many hours to live.
His sentence was pronounced ; and I
could only grieve, and be patient. I sat
by his bed, watching him ; his eyes were
closed, and I thought he slept ; but pre-
sently he called to me in a feeble voice,
and, bidding me come near, said—
** Alas ! the strength I relied on is gone;
I feel that I shall soon die, and he, my
enemy and persecutor, may still be in
being. Think not, Walton, that in the
last moments of my existence I feel that
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 2SS
burning hatred, and ardent desire of
revenge, I once expressed ; but I feel
myself justified in desiring the death of
my adversary. During these last days
I have been occupied in examining my
past conduct; nor do I find it blame-
able. In a fit of enthusiastic madness
I created a rational creature, and was
bound towards him, to assure, as far as
was in my power, his happiness and
well-being. This was my duty; but
there was another still paramount to
that. My duties towards the beings of
my own species had greater claims to
my attention, because they included a
greater proportion of happiness or mi-
sery. Urged by this view, I refused,
and I did right in refusing, to create a
companion for the first creature. He
showed unparalleled malignity and self-
ishness, in evil : he destroyed my friends ;
y Google
264 FRAKK£N$T£IN ; OR^
he devoted to cjestructiop beings uho
poisessed exquisite sensations, happi-
ness, and wisdom ; nor do I know where
this thirst for vengeance may end. Mi-
serable himself, that he may render no
other wretched, he ought to die. The
task of his destruction was mine, but
I have failed. When actuated by selfish
and vicious motives, I asked you to un-^
dertake my unfinished work ; and I re-
new this request now, when I am only
induced by reason and virtue.
" Yet I cannot ask you to renounce
your country and friends, to fulfil this
task; and now, that you are returning
to England^ you will have little chance
of meeting with him. But the con-
sideration of these points, and the well-
balancing of what you may esteem your
duties, I leave to you; my judgment and
ide^p are already disturbed by the near
y Google
THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 265
approach of death. I dare not ask you
to do what I think right, for I may still
be Daisied by passion.
*' That he should live to be an instru-
ment of mischief disturbs me; in other
respects this hour, when I momentarily
expect my release, is the only happy
one which I have enjoyed for several
years. The forms of the beloved dead
flit before me, and I hasten to their
arms. Farewell, Walton ! Seek hap-
piness in tranquillity, and avoid am-
bition, even if it be only the apparently
innocent one of distinguishing your-
self in science and discoveries. Yet
why do I say this ? I have myself been
blasted in these hopes, yet another may
succeed.*'
His voice became fainter as he
spoke; and at length, exhausted by
his effort, he sunk into silence. About
VOL. II. N
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266 FRANXENSTEIN ; OR,
half aD hoijir afterwards he attempted
again to speaks but was unable ; he
pressed my hand feebly, and his eyes
closed for ever, while the irradiation
of a gentle smile passed away from his
lips.
Margaret, what comment can I make
on the untimely extinction of this glo-
rious spirit ! What can I say, that will
enable you to understand the depth of
my sorrow ? All that I should express
would be inadequate and feeble. My
tears flow ; my mind is overshadowed
by a cloud of disappointment. But I
journey towards England, and I may
there find consolation.
I am interrupted. What do these
sounds portend? It is midnight; the
breeze blows fairly, and the watch on
deck scarcely stir. Again; there is
a sound as of a human voice, hut
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. 267
hdarser; it comes from the cabin where
the remains of Frankenstein still lie. I
must arise, and examine. Good night,
my sister.
Great God! what a scene has just
taken place! I am yet dizzy with the
remembrance of it. 1 hardly know
whether I shall have the power to de-
tail it; yet the tale which I have re-
corded would be incomplete without
this final and wonderful catastrophe.
I entered the cabiri, where lay the
remains of my ill-fated and admirable
friend. Over him hung a fonn which
I cannot find words to describe; gigantic
in stature, yet uncouth and distorted in
its proportions. As he hung over the
coffin, his face was concealed by long
locks of ragged hair; but one vast hand
was extended, in colour and apparent
texture like that of a mummy. When
he heard the sound of my approach, he
n2
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268 FRANKENSTEIN ; OR/
ceased to utter exclamations of grief
and horror, and sprung towards the
window. Never did I behold a Vision
so horrible as his face, of such loathe
some, yet appalling hideousness. I shut
my eyes involuntarily, and endeavoured
to recollect what were my duties with
regard to this destroyer. I called oii
him to stay.
He paused, looking on me with won-
der; add, again turning towards the
lifeless fofm of his creator, he seemed
to forget my presence, and every fea-
ture and gesture seemed instigated by
the Mildest rage of some uncontrotahle
passion.
'* That is also my victim!*' he ex*
claimed : ''in his murder my crimes are
consummated; the miserable series of
my beipg is wound to its close! Oh*
Frankenstein ! generous and self*devoted
being! what does it avail that I now ask
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THE IfODSEN PROMETHEUS.
thpe to pardon me ? I, who irretrievably
de^tr^yed thee by destroying all thou
iQvedst. Alas ! he is cold ; he cannot
answer dae."
His voice seemed suffocated ; and my
first impubes, which had suggested tu
me the duty of obeying the dying re-
quest of my friend, iri destroying his
enemy, were now suspended by a mix-
ture of curiosity ^nd compassion. I
approached this tremendous being; 1
dared not again raise my eyes to his
fac€, there was something so scaring
aqd unearthly in his ugliness. I at-
tempted to speak, but the words died
away on my lips. The monster con^
tinned to utter wild and incoherent ^elf-
reproaches. At length I gathered rj^o-
lution to address him in a pause of the
tempest of his passion : " Your repent-
ance/' I said, " is now sup^fluons. If
you had listened to the voice of con-
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270 FRANKEKSTEIN ; OR,
science, and heeded the stings of re-
morse, before you had urged your dia*
bolica] vengeance to this extremity,
Frankenstein would yet have lived.**
" And do you dream ?" said the dae-
mon ; *' do you think that I was then
dead to agony and remorse? — He,** be
continued, pointing to the corpse, " he
suffered not in the consummation of the
deed — oh ! not the ten-thousandth por-
tion of the anguish that was mine during
the lingering detail of its execution. A
frightful selfishness hurried nle on, while
my heart was poisoned with remorse.
Think ye that the groans of Clerval
were music to my ears ? My heart was
fashioned to be susceptible of love and
sympathy ; and, when wrenched by mi-
sery to vice and hatred, it did not en-
dure the violence of the change without
torture such as you cannot even ima-
gine.
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THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. S71
** After the murder of CJerval, 1
returned to Switzerland, heart-broken
and overcome. I pitied Frankenstein ;
my pity amounted to horror: I ab-
horred myself. But when I discovered
that he, the author at once of my exist-
ence and of its unspeakable torments,
dared to hope for happiness; that, while
he accumulated wretchedness and de-
spair upon me, he sought his own en-
joyment in feelings and passions from
the indulgence of which 1 was for ever
barred, then impotent envy and bitter
indignation filled me with an insatiable
thirst for vengeance. I recollected my
threat, and resolved that it should be
accomplished. I knew that I was pre-
paring for myself a deadly torture; buj
I was the slave, not the master, of an
impulse which I detested, yet could not
disobey. Yet when she died!— nay,
then J was not miserable. I had cast
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272 FRANKENSTEIN; QR,
off all feeling, subdued all anguish, to
riot irj the excess of qfiy despair. Evil
thenceforth became my good. Urged
tjii^^ far, I had no choice but to adapt
my nature to aq element which I bad
willingly chosen. The completion of
my demoniacal design became an in-
satiable pa^sion« And now it is ended ;
there is piy last victim]"
I w^ at first touched by the e:icpres-
sions of his misery; yet, when I called
to oiind what Frankenstein had $aid of
his powers of eloquence and persuasion,
and when I again cast my eyes on the
lifeleBs form of my friend, indignatian
was rekindled within me. " Wretch ! "
I said, "it is wqJI that you come here
to whine over the desolation that you
have made. You throw a torch into
^ p.iliB pf buildings ; and, when they are
cMUSumed, you sit amoug the ruins mid
lament the fall. Hypocritipal fiead ! if.
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THE, -MODERN PROMETHEUS. S73
be whopl you mourn still lived, still
would be be the object, again would
be become the prey, of your accursed
vengeance. It is not pity that you feel ;
you lament only because the victim of
your malignity is withdrawn from your
power/'
** Ob, it is not thus — not thus/' in-i
terrupted the being ; '^ yet such must
be the impression conveyed to you by
what appears to be the purport of tixy
actions. Yet I seek not a fellow-
feeling in my misery. No sympathy
9iay I ever find. When I first SQUgbt
it, it was the love of virtue, the feel-»
ings of happiness and affection with
wbich my wbole being overflowed, that
I wished to be participated* But now,
that virtue has become to me a sha-
dow, and that happiness and affection
are turned into bitter and loathing dcr
spair, in what should I seek for sym-
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S74 FBANKEXSTEIK ; Oft^
pathy ? I am content to suffer alone^
while my sufferings shall endure : when
I die^ I am well satisfied that abhor-
rence and opprobrium should load my
memory. Once my fancy was soothed
with dreams of virtue, of fame, and of
enjoyment. Once I falsely hoped to
meet with beings, who, pardoning my
outward form, would love me for the
excellent ^jualities which I was capable
of unfolding. I was nourished with
high thoughts of honour and devotion.
But now vice has degraded me beneatb
the meanest animal. No crime, no
mischief, no malignity, no mjsery, catt
be found comparable to mine. When
I run over the frightful catalogue of my
deeds, I cannot believe that I am the
same creature whose thoughts were once
filled with sublime and transcendant
visions of the beauty and the majesty
of goodness. But it is even so; die
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THE MODEEN PEOMETHEUS. 275
fallen angel becomes a malignant devil.
Yet even that enemy of God and man
had friends and associates in his desola-
tion ; I am alone.
" You, who call Frankenstein your
friend, seem to have a knowledge of
my crimes and his misfortunes. But,
in the detail which he gave you of
them, he could not sum up the hours
and months of misery which I endured,
wasting in impotent passions. For
while I destroyed his hopes, I did not
satisfy my own desires. The were for
ever ardent and craving ; still I desired
love and fellowship, and I was still
spurned. Was their no injustice in
this ? Am I to be thought the only
criminal, when all human kind sinned
against me ? Why do you not hate
Felix, who drove his friend from his
door with contumely ? Why do you
not execrate the rustic who sought to
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276 FRANKENSTEIN; OR^
destroy the saviour of his child ? Nay,
these are virtuous and immaculate be-
ings ! I, the miserable and the aban-
doned, am an abortion, to be spumed
at, and kicked, and trampled on. Even
now my blood boils at the recollection
of this injustice.
" But it is true that I am a wretch*
I have murdered the lovely and the
helpless; L have strangled the inno-
^ent as they slept, and grasped to death
hi» throat who never injured ine or
any other living thing. I have devoted
lay creator, the select specimen of all
^hat is worthy of love and admiration
among men, to nnsery ; I have pursued
hini even to that irremediable ruin.
There he lies, white and cold in death.
You hate me ; but j^our abhorrence
4:;^nnot equal that with which I regard
fl^yself. \ look on the hands which
^ecuted the deed ; I think on the heart
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THE -MODEaN PEOMETHEUS. 27T
in which the imagination of it was con-
ceived, and long for the moment when
these hands will meet my eyes, when
that imagination will haunt my thoughts,
no more^
'' Fear not that I shall be the instru-
ment of future mischief. , My work is
nearly complete. Neither yours nor
any man's death is needed to consum-
mate the series of my being, and ac-
complish that which must be doile;
but it requires my own. Do not think
that I shall be slow to perform this sa-
crifice. I shall quit your vessel ow the'
ice-raft which brought me hither, and
shall seek the most northern extremity
of the globe; 1 shall collect my funeral
pile, and consume to ashes this mi-
serable frame, that its remains iflay
afford no light to any curious and uh-
hallowed wretch, who would create
such another as I have been. I shaU
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878 FRANKfiNSTEIN ; OR^
die. I shall no longer feel the agonies
which now consume me, or be the
prey of feelings unsatisfied, yet un-
quenched. He is dead who called me
into being; and when I shall be no
more, the very remembrance of us
both will speedily vanish. I shall no
longer see the sun or stars, or feel the
winds play on my cheeks. Light, feel-
ing, and sense, will pass away ; and in
this condition must I find my happi-
ness. Some years ago, when the images
which this world affords first open-
ed upon me, when I felt the cheer-
ing warmth of summer, add heard the
rustling of the leaves and the warbling
of the birds, and these were all to me,
I should have wept to die ; now it
is my only consolation. Polluted by
crimes, and torn by the bitterest re-
morse, where can I find rest but in
death?
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THE BiODEBN PROMETHEUS. $79
*' Farewell ! I leave jou, and in you
the last of human kind whom these
eyes will ever behold. Farewell, Frank-
enstein ! If thou wert yet alive, and
yet cherished a desire of revenge against
me, it would be better satiated in my
life than in my destruction. But it was
not so ; thou didst seek my extinction,
that I might not cause greater wretch-
edness ; and if yet, in some mode un-
known to me, thou hadst not ceased to
think and feel, thou wouldst not desire
against me a vengeance greater than
that which I feel. Blasted as thou wert,
my agony was still superior to thine ; for
the bitter sting of remorse will not
cease to rankle in my wounds until
death shall close them for ever.
" But soon,*' he cried, with sad and
solemn enthusiasm, ^^ I shall die, and
what I now feel be no longer felt.
Soon these burning miseries will be
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280 FRANKENITEIN.
extinct. I shall ascend my funeral pile
triumphantly, and exult in the agony of
the torturing flames. The light of that
conflagration will fade away ; my ashes
will be swept into the sea by the winds.
My spirit will sleep in peace ; or if it
thinks, it will not surely think thus.
Farewell."
He sprung from the cabin-window,
as he said this, upon the ice-raft which
lay close to the vessel. He was soon
borne away by the waves, and lost in
darkness and distance.
THE END.
LONDON:
PRIVTED BY THOMAS fiAYISOK, WHITEFRIARS.
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